The Hough Dement Animal Shelter is set to get a new sealed storage container after the Indianola Board of Aldermen approved the $14,000 purchase on Monday night.
Animal Shelter Director Rebecca Horne and Humane Society President Katherine Lancaster came before the board to express the need for the sealed trailer.
They said the animal shelter was faced with two major problems, food storage and space.
The sealed trailer would be a solution to both of those problems, they said. They asked for funds for a container that would be insulated and an air conditioner.
“We are not making it pretty, we are making it usable,” said Lancaster.
They recently made improvements of over $16,000 that the Humane Society paid for, they said.
“We know we have two large problems,” Lancaster said.
Horne says the storage in the back of the animal shelter is not sealed to keep rats from getting into the dog food.
“Each week we throw away like $200 worth of dog food, because we are having to throw that out,” Horne said. “We can’t feed that to the animals once the rats have chewed into the bag.”
Not only are rodents a problem, but there is also a need for space.
“You just stumble all over everything out there, getting through the walk area,” Lancaster said. “We just need space.”
Lancaster said they would also need some substantial, heavyweight plastic shelves.
Alderman Marvin Elder made the suggestion of restoring the storage bin that they already have with the labor of Sunflower County inmates.
“It’s the more economic way to go,” said Elder.
Lancaster said that it continued to get patched up, and the problem of rodents is persistent.
“Let me tell you something about food,” said Elder. “If you have cats and dogs and food, rodents are going to come. If you open it up to go in there to get food, a rat will slip right in.”
Alderman Sam Brock questioned whether Public Works could help.
“Since they are talking about rodents and they sit in between you all and the grain bin,” Brock said. “I just want to know why you all have not drained off that water that is sitting out there causing part of the problem.”
Public Works Director Robert Spurlock assured him that was something they were currently working on.
“If y’all don’t clean that up, it won’t do us any good to go and buy that storage bin,” Brock said.
Alderman Gary Fratesi made the motion to give the full amount of $14,000.
“If they can do it cheaper, they can try,” Fratesi said while explaining his motion.
It carried 3-2 with two nays from Elder and Brock.
