Hillsborough County Animal Shelter Too Hot For Dogs And Humans

I remember in 1993 when the new animal shelter was built in Hillsborough county at 440 Falkenburg Rd. It cost $4.4 million and should have been just what the doctor ordered, more space and better facilities for animals and staff. Why then, three years after the grand opening, was the new director told the number of ventilation fans for the kennels was scaled back to save money? Even after noting the ventilation was inadequate, Bill Armstrong, the director, considered the issue a low priority and nothing was done to alleviate the problem. It took one woman, Connie Johnson, chairwoman for the county Animal Advisory Committee, to bring this problem to light. She fosters a dog at the shelter and noticed the stifling conditions in the kennels. After complaining to the current acting director, Dennis McCullough, some ceilings fans were installed. Eight of the eighteen fans along the top of the walls in the kennels do not work. Others are rusted and old. Terry Goodman, county superintendent of plant operations, said if all the fans were working, they would still be only half of what is needed for proper ventilation.

So, for fifteen years the animals most in need in this county have been suffering even more neglect when they go to the very shelter that should be giving them relief. I don't know about you folks, but it's one thing to be hot outside in Florida and another to be suffering inside. I would much rather be outside where I can sit under a shade tree and catch a cool breeze, then be stuck inside a stifling building. Add to that, the smell of hot animals, urine and feces and you have an unbearable situation. If animals are to be housed inside, adequate ventilation is a must. I sympathize with the staff and volunteers at HCAS who must work in that atmosphere. I have no doubt that there were many complaints that fell on deaf ears before Connie Johnson appeared on the scene. We're at a time when government is facing severe budget cuts, so an allocation of funds needed to alleviate the air circulation problem at the county kennels is not likely to happen anytime soon. But, I strongly suggest that before the county spends a drop of money on such a thing as a new sports complex in east Hillsborough, they show some sensitivity for the creatures who are suffering under their care. And if they really have a heart, they'll shoot for air conditioning instead of fans.

*Information for this post was taken from an article in the Trib written by Mike Salinero, an excellent investigative reporter. I'm taking a moment to honor all newspaper writers who are facing extinction.