Gadsden hoping to negotiate new contract with Humane Society Pet Rescue

Gadsden City officials hope to meet soon with Humane Society Pet Rescue and Adoption Center representatives to try to reach an agreement on a new contract that would keep the shelter accepting city animals after March 1.

The board of directors for the Humane Society Pet Rescue sent the city a letter dated Jan. 14 that said if an agreement is not reached February 1st, the letter would serve as notice that the center is terminating its month-to-month agreement to serve as the city’s animal shelter.

The letter stated that they would no longer take in any animals belonging to the city after March 1, 2015.

Mayor Sherman Guyton has sent Humane Society Board of Directors President Christiane Michel an email requesting a meeting to discuss a new contract. He said the city had hoped to have such a meeting in December, but it didn’t take place, and would like to have one as soon as possible “in an effort to finalize a contract before March 1.”

Ellison said the city wants to discuss Animal Control officers having space at the center, which would remove the need to operate a separate office for that department; the ability to bring in animals after hours without having to pay the Humane Society $30 for someone to meet Animal Control personnel there; and the amount of money the city pays the Humane Society.

According to the original 2006 contract, the city pays the Humane Society $8,000 a month and paid $125,000 toward the cost of the new shelter on Brooke Avenue that opened in 2007. That contract expired in 2008, and the month-to-month arrangement has continued since then.