County commission appoints MCAS advisory board

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The Mobile County Commission is making progress with its plans to improve the Mobile County Animal Shelter.

Maddie money

The county has applied for the Maddie’s Shelter Medicine program through the University of Florida, in addition to appointing an advisory board to keep rescue groups, shelter staff and the county administration connected.

The program would cost $38,000 dollars which county officials said would come from a $70,000 Maddie’s Fund grant awarded to Mobile County in 2012.

“This is considered one of the most, if not the most, comprehensive evaluation services in the county for animal shelters,” said County Commissioner Connie Hudson.

According to the program's website, it conducts shelter assessments and consultations while training shelter medical professionals.

The county has applied for the evaluation but the earliest opening is October.

Board appointed

While the commission waited for permission to move forward, it appointed seven representatives to a new advisory board for the MCAS during a meeting on Monday.

The advisory board will have the responsibility of making decisions about what changes need to be made with the shelter.

The six officials appointed will also work as a liaison between shelter staff, county administration and rescue groups:

• Joel Tate representing the Mobile County Board of Health
• Janine Woods representing the Mobile County S.P.C.A.
• Captain Frank Cassady serving on behalf of the Sheriff’s office
• Michelle Turner representing the animal rescue foundation
• Angela Rayburn (District 1) and Cindie Carter (District 2) to the Mobile County Animal Shelter (MCAS) Community Advisory Board.

Three vets have volunteered to be on-call for the shelter as certified veterinarian. One of the vets will also serve on the community advisory board.

“These individuals will come together and help look at some of the issues and concerns we've been hearing that some of the members of the community have experienced,” said Hudson.

Hudson said commissioners are also working on appointing a medical evaluation team along with a policy and procedures team.

In January, one dog tested positive for distemper at the shelter , a highly contagious disease that affects dogs' nervous system. Forty-nine dogs were put down as a result, sparking investigations by county commissioners and outrage from area residents.