Will dozens of dogs be euthanized? California animal shelter changing operators
There are 39 dogs left at Selma’s Second Chance Animal Shelter, for those following the adoption countdown the nonprofit has been running since finding out its contract with the city would end this year.
The nonprofit has been on an adoption and fundraising blitz for the past several weeks, insinuating (and at times outright saying) the animals are in danger of being euthanized if left at the shelter after Dec. 31.
A three-year contract with the nonprofit was originally set to expire in June, but extended for six months with additional funding from the city for operations of the shelter on Front Street in Selma.
In a meeting on Dec. 4, the council voted to end the arrangement and instead seek a new operator, which Second Chance has operated (along with the city’s animal control services) for almost a decade.
“We are currently exploring all of our options with regard to how the shelter will continue to be operated after Jan. 1,” Selma city manager Fernando Santillan told The Bee on Wednesday.
Whether that is done by the city, or through a different operator, “the remaining animals will be thoroughly assessed for health and wellness,” he said. “Every effort will continue to be made to find a home for the animals.”
There has not been any plan to either close the shelter or euthanize animals, Santiallan said. “The plan has always been to keep the shelter operational. At no time was there a plan to euthanize all of the animals (nor should there be).”
That is contrary to statements made by the nonprofit on its social media prior to the city council vote.
“What we know at this time is that the city of Selma’s goal is to euthanize every dog at this facility and take over animal control services moving forward,” it wrote in a post.
In another post, the nonprofit called for help getting dogs adopted before Fresno Humane “takes over and starts euthanizing them.”
The Fresno Humane Animal Service was discussed as a possible new operator during the Dec. 4 city council meeting.
Messages to Second Chance were not immediately returned,
The social media campaign appears to be working.
More than 160 animals have been adopted from the shelter this month, Santiallan said, “which makes the transition much easier.”
Residents will need to call (559) 896-2525 for City of Selma Animal Control Services beginning Jan. 1.
