AWL Executive Director Katey Wilks Zemen, left, and WPD Animal Control Officer Justin Curtis present to the council.

WARSAW — The Warsaw Common Council approved a $50,000 contribution to the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County for their new building during the meeting held last night, Dec. 3.

Warsaw Mayor Joseph Thallemer explained that the council has a contractual agreement with AWL to provide services for the city. The AWL was requesting additional contributions beyond the contractual agreement to go toward the new building. The AWL has been raising funds for the new building since 2014, but hope to raise enough money so that the AWL does not have a loan payment on top of operational costs when the building opens next year. In addition to the city of Warsaw, AWL is also requesting funds from the county, other towns and townships.

Justin Curtis, Warsaw Police Department animal control officer, spoke at the meeting to discuss how the city uses the shelter’s services. He explained that in the past 11 months he has personally taken at least 315 animals to the shelter. This number was a very rough estimate, as many of his calls involve taking multiple pets to the shelter at once. He gave an example of a recent methamphetamine case that resulted in bringing 21 cats and three dogs to the shelter in one day. 

He told the council he would estimate around 85 percent of these calls are within the Warsaw city limits. While he was doing research for his presentation, he attempted to call other surrounding shelters to see if they would allow him to bring Warsaw’s animals to their shelter. He advised that only one shelter actually talked with him and they told him they weren’t sure if they wanted to get involved with Warsaw’s animals.

Curtis advised that AWL’s location allows him to save money on gas and time. If he had to drive further to a different shelter, not only would it cost the department more money but it would mean he would be able to handle fewer calls. He spoke highly of the shelter and stated that the “bend over backwards for the city of Warsaw.”

AWL Executive Director Katey Wilks Zemen also spoke at the meeting. She said that the new building would allow the AWL to have more outreach programs for the city, which would reduce the overpopulation of animals. The shelter plans to provide low-cost spay and neutering for residents and a trap-neuter-release program.

AWL Board Member Dan Woods explained to the council that 1,700 animals came through the shelter last year. And if you divide up the shelter’s budget, this results in a $223 cost to provide services for each animal.

All of the council members shared approval of AWL’s services, but some expressed hesitation on what appeared to be a last minute request.

“The $50,000 request would be about 2 percent of the total project,” said Council Member Jeff Grose. He explained that looking at the numbers this way showed him that the council should approve the request.

The council approved to amend the 2018 contract with AWL to include a $25,000 contribution to the building fund. The council then approved to change the 2019 contract to add another $25,000. The 2019 contract has yet to be approved and will be presented to the Warsaw Board of Works this Friday, Dec. 7, so no amendment was needed.

The council also approved the 2019 elected salary ordinance on first reading.