Clermont County’s animal shelter has been featured on local news networks several times this year and never for anything good. The story first caught my attention in February, when inaction by management and County Commissioners led to volunteers using their own time and money to professionally launder towels and blankets for this county-run agency. In the months since, it has become public that the agency is consistently and dangerously short-staffed, that the work environment is toxic, and that animal welfare is not the top priority.
The shelter was previously run by a non-profit rescue organization that ensured prompt veterinary care, proper behavioral assessments, and maintained accessible adoption hours. They operated on a strict no-kill policy and even cared for cats. They asked for a modest increase in county funding about four years ago, and instead of a budget increase, the Commissioners decided to bring the agency back in house. Since then, the shelter’s budget has nearly doubled above the previous operator’s request, but there has been no improvement.
In fact, adoption hours are not accessible to most people who have jobs, while staffing and standard of care have been reduced to an almost criminal level.
There are only two reasons an organization fails: it’s starved for resources or it’s starved for leadership. Commissioner David Painter says it’s not a money problem, so I’m glad to see we agree on one thing: his party’s leadership is failing the people – and dogs – of Clermont County.
Bonnie Batchler says she’d hire 25 people right now if she could, but the commissioners and their staff consistently fail to respond to qualified applicants or offer the competitive compensation packages necessary. Instead, they have decided to use unpaid, low-risk inmates to clean the shelter. These should be good paying jobs that help to support Clermont County families, not forced labor for low-risk inmates.
Opinion by Brad Combs, Candidate for Clermont County Commissioner
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