In Harrisonburg, City Council may soon decide whether to accept a new proposal to provide animal sheltering services for the city, with lower euthanasia rates promised, and for about $50,000 less than the contract the city has with the Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA. But what might Rockingham County do if the city decides to switch shelter services? WMRA’s Christopher Clymer Kurtz reports.
If the SPCA loses its city contract, it would be a big hit to its annual budget of $900,000. It would still have the contract from Rockingham County, though, which, like the city contract, is for just over $282,000 for the current fiscal year.
County Administrator Stephen King said last week that he expects that losing the city contract would “adversely impact the SPCA’s ability to provide services” — but would also reduce their expenses.
He has heard from “a few” county residents about the debate in the city, with support being “pretty equal on both sides,” and with concerns about the SPCA focused on the euthanasia rates, which are over 50%. SPCA executive director Anne Anderson did not provide further comment about the potential impact of losing the city contract.