The Porter County Board of Commissioners gave unanimous approval Tuesday morning to adopt a policy that allows for the Porter County Animal Shelter to place a temporary halt on all public drop-offs once the animal shelter reaches a certain capacity.
Animal Shelter Director Jen Schaafsma said a halt on dog drop-offs will go into effect immediately until some of the 100 dogs they have now are adopted. She said the ideal maximum is 85 dogs for the no-kill shelter. “It just puts the health of the animals at risk, as well as the staff,” she told the board about going over that maximum.
She said they’ve seen a 21% increase in intakes since the pandemic. “Having a pet is costly and there are a lot more people that want to get rid of animals than adopt,” Schaafsma said.
“I just think, in general, the county is facing a stray animal crisis,” she added. “If you do have to rehome a pet, call first and see what kind of resources there are.” She said a shortage of veterinarians is also contributing to the problem.
Schaafsma also encourages those who find strays to work a little harder to find the owners before turning to the shelter. “I just think the public needs to take a little more responsibility, hanging on to a stray,” she said.
For those who are in a position to adopt, the cost is $120 to adopt a dog and includes vaccines, including the rabies vaccine, spaying or neutering, and microchipping.
In other business, the board appointed Hebron resident Greg Falkowski to the West Porter Township Fire Protection District Board seat vacated by former Treasurer Guy Kosmoski. Falkowksi, a former firefighter with the Porter Township Fire Department, said he applied for the post because he just wants “to support the fire department and public safety and make sure we have the best options available to us.
Falkowski currently serves as economic development director for the City of Crown Point and was previously chief of staff for the mayor of Crown Point. He attended Boone Grove High School, served in the U.S. Army, and has an associate of applied science degree in intelligence operations and a bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University.
Falkowski said he doesn’t have an opinion on whether or not the district should form a fire territory and plans to take in all the information he can on the subject.
Shelley Jones is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
