'Chat with the Chief' topic: Changes coming to the animal shelter in Fort Morgan

There were about 20 people who attended the latest ‘Chat with the Chief’ session, held at the Fort Morgan Police Department on Wednesday evening in Fort Morgan. Hosted by Fort Morgan Police Chief Loren Sharp, the main topic focused on the upcoming changes to the animal shelter. Among those in attendance were Fort Morgan Mayor Doug Schossow, Council members Bill Garcia and Loren Boyett, and the President of the Fort Morgan Humane Society, Karen Benker. The first part of the meeting included a slide show on the history of the shelter in Fort Morgan and on the plans for it, once the city takes back control.

There are certain requirements, such as bringing every animal into the shelter and keeping them for a minimum of 5 days. In the past, they have provided shelters for Brush, Wiggins, Log Lane Village, and the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office. For various reasons, the other areas mentioned cannot provide those services at this time.

Chief Sharp mentioned how the Humane Society has been a great partner with the City of Fort Morgan, but with a lot of the services that the Humane Society has not been able to provide. He also mentioned PACFA, which is the Pet Animal Care & Facilities Act, which is a state-funded government agency that oversees all animal shelters and pet-related entities. The city will need to follow those rules and guidelines so that anyone can go back through the records and research any report that PACFA has on any facility in Colorado.

Karen Benker had a few questions, such as what the budget is for the shelter, once the city takes it back, and what the hours will be. Some of the concerns from those with the Humane Society were about care given to the animals, whether someone will be on-hand and available to the public for adoptions, etc.

It was a civil meeting for the most part, as emotions got a little high at a couple of points, but nothing major. Fort Morgan City Council member Bill Garcia chimed in with his opinion and information on what happened at the executive session, and what is and should happen from this point going forward. He said: “……if the Humane Society would work with the city in this transition, instead of being so……against this. It’s a contract, and we took our options on our contract; that’s it. If you would work with the transition, it would probably work a lot better than going on social media, going on the newspaper….. and saying…… or acting like the city fathers sat here and threw you guys out. And making false statements that we took a vote in an executive session. We did not. All we did was come to an agreement, and we put the direction on the chief of police, to bring us a proposal that would work better the people of Fort Morgan, because THAT is our primary job.” 

There was a bit of discussion after that, as the meeting lasted about 40 minutes. This remains a developing story.