Interim shelter manager named

Cherokee County Finance Director Mike Vassey moved his office Thursday morning over to the consolidated city/county animal shelter.

Vassey was appointed interim manager of the facility, effective Wednesday. He will spend the next few weeks reviewing shelter operations and make recommendations on improvements.

Assistant county administrator Holland Belue announced the move at the end of Wednesday's county council public works committee meeting. He cited Vassey's qualifications and good management skills in appointing the finance director to be a liaison between the county and animal shelter.

"This is a step to get us going the right way, mend some fences and allow us to continue operations," Belue said. "Part of Mike's role will be to let us know how the shelter works. Mike will report to me on a daily basis and we will determine what we need to do next."

Local animal rights advocates lobbied the county council in recent weeks to hire an animal shelter manager. They have expressed concern over shelter conditions and how animals are treated.

County council is not allowing animal control officers to euthanize animals with heart injections. If done improperly, the needle punctures the lung before penetrating the animal's heart.

Complaints by shelter volunteers have resulted in a State Law Enforcement Division investigation into whether officers broke animal cruelty laws. Volunteers have requested the county look into different ways to remove animals for adoption, rescue, or placement in temporary foster care.

There is no timeline for how long Vassey will remain as the interim animal shelter manager.

Vassey will not receive any additional compensation for his temporary duties, public works committee chairman Bailey Humphries said. Vassey has already started research into potential grants and alternate funding sources that could be used to increase the level of services.

"We are going to do the right thing within our available resources," Humphries said.

One change has already been made.

The animal shelter will operate weekdays from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Access to the shelter will be restricted after hours.

Saving Gaffney Pets rescue operator Mary Carpenter expressed concern how the limited access would impact her efforts to pick up animals following work. She helps transport animals to New York and other areas so they can be adopted.

"I'm dead in the water. I have a real job. I have to plan," Carpenter said. "I'm a little scared of this. I'm going to have to change my routine."

County council members agreed to let Vassey work out an arrangement with Carpenter so she can pick up animals for transport.

The county plans to work with local animal rights advocates to improve the animal shelter operations, Belue said.

"This will allow us to not only meet state requirements, but do what is in the best interest of the county," he said.