Non-profit shelter to take over Blackfoot animal control
The Idaho Falls-based Snake River Animal Shelter will manage some animal control services for the city of Blackfoot beginning in October.
According to the shelter, Blackfoot will be the first in the region to follow a national trend of naming a humane agency to take over municipal animal control.
Mayor Paul Loomis said the city would continue to operate its own animal control, but the Animal Shelter would operate the city’s existing shelter. He expects the agreement to provide more and better service and save money. The city will appropriate the same amount of money it currently spends on shelter operations.
For its part, the Snake River Animal Shelter will expand its mission and its opportunity to provide low-cost services aimed at increasing animal adoptions.
Shelter officials say the privatization of animal control helps serve the stray animal population and enhance community programs.
Among its goals, the shelter hopes to reduce the euthanasia rate of cats, increase adoptions, implement low-cost animal programs, and provide humane education opportunities for local schools.
In a related note, the city of Blackfoot will open its first “Dog Park” at Noon Wednesday, September 20. The dog park is located near Veterans Park near the intersection of Airport and E Airport Roads.
