The Cherokee Humane Society has offered the Cherokee County Commission a deal. To speed up the process of getting an animal shelter built for Cherokee County, Humane Society Trustees met with Cherokee County Commissioners to discuss the transferring of property and building funds to Cherokee County.

Cherokee Humane Society Trustees made the proposal during a recent commission meeting.

In 1998, the Humane Society began to raise public awareness and seek funding to build a shelter. Freda Waters, president, Cherokee Humane Society, said the citizens, cities and county officials of Cherokee County have been “very supportive and generous” giving to this cause.

“An animal shelter is needed in this county, both for animals as well as the citizens,” said Waters. “The Cherokee Humane Society is willing to transfer property and funds over to the county. One-hundred-nineteen thousand dollars has been invested in the humane society thus far as well as purchasing a 10-acre site to build a shelter on. This includes clearing of the property, building a roadway and site preparation.”

The Cherokee Humane Society also has $63,000 in the building fund itself, Waters said. Trustees said this would be a great opportunity for the county, should the commission accept this proposal, and that the Cherokee Humane Society will remain a viable part of the community.

Having an Animal Control Agency in the county will allow the Cherokee Humane Society to be more flexible and devote 100 percent of its time to its mission which is adoption, education, spay and neuter assistance and cruelty/neglect investigations.

Trustees Vicki Meeks and Jolee Entrekin feel that this is the most workable and effective solution for the animals as well as the citizens of Cherokee County. The Cherokee Humane Society would be willing to assist the county in any way possible in their efforts to get this goal accomplished.

Scott Lloyd states, “We know that the citizens of Cherokee County want a functioning animal control facility as quickly as possible. We want to see that mission accomplished as well. The citizens have been very generous in their financial support for this mission and donors deserve to see their money providing results as early as possible.”

“We have spent building campaign funds acquiring and preparing our building site,” said Lloyd. “We are convinced that transferring the land to the county-along with our remaining building campaign funds-is the fastest way to do that. Of course, if we transfer the land, it will be with the condition that it can’t be used for anything besides an animal control facility.”

Waters submitted to the commissioners copies of the current blueprints for the shelter which they can use or discard and start anew if they wish. Current specifications are for a facility about 2,800 square feet on approximately 10 acres of land adjacent to Centre Industrial Park, which will house approximately 65 animals at time, Waters said.

“As a director, I will offer my services, any time you need them,” said Waters. “I will be more than happy to answer questions, I will be happy to help with any training that you need done at your facility, if you need help with staffing, equipping, anything! We just want to see the shelter built and built as quickly as possible.”

The board took no action on the proposal at this time. Waters requested that the commission let them know something by June if possible.

“I do realize this will take some time for your consideration,” said Waters. “If this is not an option for you, I think the board of trustees are going to have to back up and restructure.”