Out of options

Though we probably won’t ever know all of the reasons behind the dismissal of Caroline Sanders as director of the Rockingham County “animal shelter” – and we use that term loosely – we do know she will be difficult to replace.
Rene Jackson will replace Sanders, and we wish her luck. She will surely need it, as well as a ton of patience.
Sanders worked for both the county – primarily to handle euthanizations – and the Reidsville Veterinary Hospital, which used money from the county to operate the shelter, which, let’s face it, was little more than a holding cell for animals awaiting their deaths. Some animals were adopted – and Sanders played no small role in promoting that service – but finding homes for the animals wasn’t a priority.
Sanders’ dedication and commitment to the shelter, and its animals, were unquestioned. She worked under difficult conditions, in a building that is too small, too hot in the summers and too cold in the winters. And the size of the structure, coupled with the lack of proper ventilation, results in a constant foul smell.
“They’ve had that shelter for what, 25 years, and nobody has dedicated themselves to that shelter like I did,” Sanders told the News & Record of Greensboro.
The county’s arrangement with the animal hospital was never the best solution, but it was the result of a disregard for animals among past county officials that has prevailed until just recently. The county is working on building a permanent, viable shelter, and officials say they are committed to the project, though most of the money to build it will have to come from private donations. A Reidsville couple has pledged $50,000 toward the shelter, which will include an adoption wing. The facility, however, will cost close to $1 million.
The state of the economy, and in particular the problems for Rockingham County – including 10 percent unemployment – have been well documented. The agreement with the animal hospital ends next year, so a new shelter must be built. Residents have taken the lead in pushing the county to build a shelter and, flailing economy or not, we have every reason to believe our leaders will see it through. There really is no other option.