Help for Stray Dogs in Whitehouse

TYLER – The City of Whitehouse will be getting assistance in housing stray dogs. Smith County Commissioners have approved an interlocal agreement with the City of Whitehouse to take its stray dogs into the Smith County Animal Shelter. According to the agreement, Whitehouse will be responsible for responding to animal control matters within its city, then transporting the dogs to the Smith County Animal Shelter. The city will pay any fees associated with impoundment, testing, medical treatment or other services. Whitehouse will pay Smith County $50 per dog that is brought to the shelter, as well as an additional $35 for each dog requiring euthanasia. The agreement between Smith County and Whitehouseis effective through Fiscal Year 2018.

There are currently 59 dogs in the shelter, which has a maximum capacity for 169 dogs. Smith County Fire Marshal Connie McCoy-Wasson said they have taken in three dogs from Troup since the agreement was finalized more than a month ago. The County has also approved a similar agreement with the city of Arp.

The animal shelter waits 72 hours to try and find the dogs’ owners before they become the responsibility of Smith County and can be adopted out, she said. They try to have dogs adopted out or taken by rescue groups within one to two weeks, but they have had about five dogs in the shelter for two months.