Low-cost clinic moves closer: Mercer County Animal Shelter avoid euthanasias with last Code Red

Greg Jordan, Bluefield Daily Telegraph, W.Va.
Updated ·2 min read

Feb. 29—By GREG JORDAN

Bluefield Daily Telegraph

PRINCETON — Opening a low-cost spay/neuter clinic came a step closer this week when the Mercer County Commission contributed money to the project soon after the county animal shelter avoided euthanizing dogs and cats to make space.

Commissioner Gene Buckner, who serves on a committee working on a spay/neuter clinic which could help cut the county's homeless pet population, said at a commission meeting that progress is being made.

"Well, as most people know we have been struggling to get a spay/neuter clinic started in this county and we finally got some movement," Buckner said Tuesday.

The committee is getting ready to remove walls and put up new ones in a renovated barn near the Mercer County Animals Shelter. Money is needed to finish the renovations and cover start-up costs, he said. The city of Bluefield's Board of Directors recently said that the city could contribute up to $20,000.

Buckner said he has been speaking with city of Princeton officials about contributing up to $20,000 as well.

"And the Humane Society has $35,000 for supplies and equipment and they have an extra $15,000 that they have said if we need they will donate the extra $15,000," he said. "This money does not all have to come at once. We can just designate the funds and pay as needed."

County Commission President Bill Archer moved to approve $20,000 for the spay/neuter clinic from the county's budget stabilization fund. The motion was approved unanimously.

Buckner said a 501C 3 is being set up for the clinic which will be called Furever Fixed.

Last week the Mercer County Animal Shelter's adoption fees were waived because the personnel had to declare a Code Red situation. Code Red is declared when euthanasia may have to be considered to make room.

"I know recently we've been teetering on the edge of a Code Red," Archer said. He credited the shelter staff's hard work and "the loving people" that came and gave these unwanted pets, for lack of a better word, a forever home" for helping avoid euthanasia.

"We need to have the clinic in order to reduce the population of new little kitties and new little puppies coming in," Archer said.

— Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com