Bucksport animal shelter lacks space for lost and stray animals

The Bucksport Animal Shelter is running out of space.

Built in the 1980s, the two-building facility accommodates lost or stray dogs and cats from nine communities, but public safety officials overseeing the shelter recently alerted city councilors that their mission was getting more complicated as space was shrinking.

“These structures are just too small for what we’re trying to do,” Bucksport Deputy Police Chief David Winchester told City Council last month.

There has been an increase in the number of stray dogs, including pregnant cats and their litters, and some dogs that have been difficult to adopt. Since August, the shelter has welcomed 63 cats. Last month, the shelter had 25 cats, but only 19 kennels.

“The past two years have seen an increase in the number of stray animals, which may be linked to the number of pets acquired during COVID, but that’s a guess,” said Chief Executive Officer Susan Lessard. “It put more pressure on the staff and the facility. ”

The refuge has served roughly the same size of population for years, although the number of communities it serves increased when Hampden left about five years ago and was replaced by Stockton Springs, Penobscot and Winterport .

With space at a premium, it has become nearly impossible to have a proper quarantine area for incoming sick animals and diseases can spread throughout the shelter. This in turn makes the adoption of animals more difficult.

“We haven’t really disowned anyone that I know of, but we had to work really hard to accommodate more pets,” said city director of public safety Sean Geagan. “It’s just a matter of space and how many animals we really welcome at this point.”

The facility, next to the city transfer station, has been recently modernized, but still lacks areas. There is no storage, bathroom or laundry room at the refuge. Animal Control Officer Allyson Corriveau-Moore brings items that need to be washed to the fire department or her home for washing.

“It would be amazing if we could have a washer and dryer there,” she said. “I think the shelter is ready for a facelift.”

The Bangor Humane Society animal shelter recently underwent major renovations, relocating the entrance, improving animal facilities and removing its incinerator.

Lessard suggested the city look at short and long term solutions. This could include more fenced outdoor space for animals, especially dogs, while authorities determine if an addition or a whole new facility is needed.

She also mentioned the idea of ​​turning to the community for help.

“There are a lot of people who support this facility who are concerned that it is too small and not designed to be what it is supposed to be,” she said.

The state aid worker provided the city with a preliminary design for a facility to launch the ideas, according to Winchester.

The city council’s infrastructure committee will visit the shelter ahead of its January meeting and then review preliminary plans for a replacement building with offices, bathroom and exercise space for the animals. The final decision on what to do will rest with the board.

“It’s a service that I think the city always wants to have,” said Councilor Peter Stewart. “I think the next step is to see what it will cost to fix this place. “

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