The City of Pell City reported a smooth transition for its animal control operation into the space formerly occupied by the Animal Shelter of Pell City, Inc.

Leaders and staff completed a final walkthrough of the facility on Sept. 14. City Manager Brian Muenger said ASPCI not only handed over the keys to a clean facility, the organization was also able to move most animals into foster or rescue programs.

“Only 30 animals or so remained in the facility when we took over, and more than three-fourths were on mandatory seven-day holds,” Muenger said. “[ASPCI] obviously put a huge amount of effort in right at the very end.

According to a letter from ASPCI Treasurer Jo Mitchell this week, ASPCI reported 96 adoptions and 136 rescue placements in August and September.

“Our volunteers and foster parents have been crucial to our ability to place as many animals in rescues as we have,” Mitchell wrote in the letter (See Below). “The need to have our healthy animals isolated from potentially diseased ones at the impoundment facility can’t be emphasized enough, and we’re so lucky to have individuals and families who have taken on this responsibility for us.”

The new operation is called the Pell City Animal Control Center (PCACC), and one of its first moves after getting the keys to the facility was to create a social media presence. ASPCI was known in the community for Facebook shares of strays and adoptable animals, and PCACC appears to be picking that up.

Financially, during its regular meeting on Sept. 14, the Pell City City Council approved for Muenger to pursue contracts with six area municipalities and the St. Clair County Commission for impoundment services. These contracts could total $140,000 annually.

Governments that could sign on as members with Pell City Animal Control include St. Clair County Commission ($93,000), Ashville ($4,500), Odenville  ($7,500), Ragland ($3,500), Riverside ($5,000), Springville  ($3,500), and Lincoln ($8,000).

Commission Chairman Paul Manning said the County’s contract will be for flat funding, as it was previously contracted for $81,000 for impoundment services and provided an additional $12,000 annually to support ASPCI’s low-cost spay and neuter program called SNAP.

The City Council also approved a fee schedule for the PCACC, which is highlighted by the absence of fees to surrender stray animals for residents in member communities. Adoption fees for dogs and puppies has been set at $70, and fees for cats and kittens are set at $55. Adoptable animals will receive core vaccinations including rabies, worming and flea treatments and will be microchipped.