The RCHS web site states that the "RCHS no longer employs humane care officers, nor can RCHS provide humane care services such as picking up stray animals and investigating abuse or neglect complaints. In addition to these changes, the cities of Beloit & Janesville have contracted with Dane County Humane Society to provide services for animals who the police have seized from their owners, are under a legal bite quarantine, or who are seriously ill or injured and are in need of emergency medical care." I have been concerned for a few years about what valuable services the RCHS offers directly for animals, other than informing the public. Do financial donors and financial supporters understand what the RCHS limitations are, even with the dollars they have? I would like to know what the staff salaries are. I would like to know why the relationship with municipalities had to change. If it was inevitable, then maybe a different RKHS Board and/ or staff can figure out how to improve it in the future. I expect more of a "competent and qualified" facility. Here's my opinion, the RCHS can't figure it out. They have expressed interest in a newer and larger facility, but is dissolving instead. Yes, maybe the municipalities can create a facility and services on their own, however I don't expect creating hundreds of facilities is rational or practical. Maybe Rock County (irony) can better create a solution county-wide? Yes, again, any increased services will require a lot of money. I'm convinced the RCHS, after a few years of discussing this, can not (current management)/ will not(current management) offer the solution.

I believe the RCHS only honored the existing contracts, with cities if Janesville and Beloit, through 2012. The RCHS had made a written statement in 2012, that offered, on RCHS terms, 2012 contracts only to those municipalities that contracted in 2011, also on RCHS terms. The same written statement also informed each municipality, that it did not anticipate offering any municipality a contract in 2013, due to space/ capacity issues. Ultimately, this may have changed, but I haven't heard that the RCHS has offered 2013 services to any municipality. For decades they had mailed a draft contract each year to local municipalities. If this is not so, maybe the RCHS , or a current municipal customer, would offer a copy of contracted services, or offers to do so?

wislady - Yes, the post from Craigslist has it right, so far as I know. The agreement with Madison affects only OWNED animals - that is, animals whose owners are known but the animals need to be removed for some reason. It does not include strays. Handling strays is a really big problem for local governments these days, and those in Rock county have a confusing patchwork of different policies including, in many cases, no services at all. RCHS still accepts some strays, but at a very hefty price. Those municipalities who still contract with the Humane Society now have to pay $140 for every stray cat or dog taken there. This has led to many towns, villages, etc. refusing to contract with the society.

A new solution to ensure humane treatment of lost and stray animals is definitely needed. What it will be, however, is still a big question.

This is confusing. Note this post which was on Janesville Craig list...

Re: Stray Animals to Dane Co Humane- False info. (Rock County)
Date: 2013-01-11, 9:57PM EST
svqrh-3539779150@comm.craigslist.org[?]
The posting on here about stray animals from Rock County being taken to Dane County Humane is false. RCHS will still be accepting strays from Beloit and Janesville. Unfortunately it has been incorrectly reported on the news and in the papers the past few weeks, thereby causing a lot of confusion to the public. What it should have stated is that ONLY owned abandoned, owned seized, or injured pets that need Vet care will be taken to DCHS in Madison for impoundment or treatment. NO stray pets from Janesville or Beloit will be taken there.

If you still have doubts, see their website statement: rockcountyhumanesociety.com or call them or the police for verification.

Location: Rock County
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID:3539779150

http://janesville.craigslist.org/pet/353...