Ellis County Animal Shelter issues go unanswered

ELLIS COUNTY – There is still no relief in sight for the animals and good Samaritans picking up the slack to ensure the absence of an animal shelter in Ellis County does not mean harm to animals and residents. 

The item on the Ellis County Commissioner’s Court agenda was to update the RFP regarding animal shelter and maintenance services.

After more than an hour of discussion and at least seven people speaking during public comments the commissioners canceled the old RFP to reissue a new RFP based on recommended changes.

Ellis County Judge Todd Little asked if the county could accept Fetch Safe Haven as an intermediary provider through Sept. 30 with a temporary contract of 20 dogs a month at a cost of $953 per animal. 

The legal team said that was not recommended, but instead the 14 days of the RFP being readvertised.

Lacey Mendez, introduced as representing Operations for the Ellis County Animal Shelter spoke to the commissioners with hard facts about the wretched situation the county is currently in with the lack of movement regarding a county animal shelter.

Mendez said she has talked with other Ellis County cities such as Alma, Milford, Maypearl, Italy, Venus, Garret and Glenn Heights and she noted Glenn Heights is looking for a partner and has an 80% adoption rate.

Mendez flatly asked the commissioners, “what is your intent.”

She said she has seen the 2050 plan and the idea of a shelter to be built at that time but added, “That is in 25 years, and we have a severe issue happening right now.”

She agreed the SPCA facility was not ideal and would cost money at some point but, “it is what we have at this point. 

“And, we have citizens who are doing the county’s job at this point, citizens who are the finders, the rescuers, the adopters going to take these dogs for vaccines that have been dumped since we don’t have anywhere to go.”

She added, “Since we saw you guys last, I have taken in eight Ellis County dogs, one of which was called to Waxahachie Animal Services and was told to put them back on the street where they found them.”

Mendez said they have been working with the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department with a property in the county where there are over 30 animals on that specific property. 

All are emaciated, all have mange, and three of the puppies that were rescued died while the other two in critical condition so, “I guess what is it you guys are looking for?” Mendez repeated her question twice.

It appeared the commissioners are looking for a successful bidder from the RFP.

Little discussed the RFP dollar amount.

He said it had 150 animal intakes a month at $1,150, reaching a $2 million a year cost.

Finally, it was mentioned by Little that a reset of only 20 to 25 animals per month intake, calculating a cost of $345,000, which is a different of 231,000 more than the county is currently spending.

While those who spoke from the crowd shook their heads at the continued waiting another 14 days for the RFP bids, the commissioners voted unanimously for this course of action.