PEARISBURG VA (WVVA) - Volunteers are no longer being accepted at the Giles County Animal Shelter after alleged "problems" arise from several members of a non-profit organization.
Giles County Animal Control Officer Melvin Dalton says that this new policy is only temporary.
"We will probably be using volunteers in the future but they will be screened and coordinated by animal control."
Dalton would not comment on specific problems the shelter has seen in the past from volunteers. He says they do plan on working with the non-profit group Hope Alliance in the future.
"The shelter is still operating under normal hours," Dalton said. The shelter is open on Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. "The only change for now is that an employee of the county will now be handling the adoptions and the care of the animals."
Dalton did say that many positive changes are in the works for the shelter. The county is currently working on a county facilitated web site which will offer frequent updates about the shelter animals.
Beginning March 1st, the shelter will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. This more than doubles the shelters hours of operations.
Dalton did say that the shelter is still properly caring for it's animals and taking in stray animals as needed.
If you would like to adopt an animal contact animal control directly at 540-921-3842.
