GREENBRIER COUNTY W.Va. (WVDN) – The Greenbrier County Commission held its biweekly meeting and among its business discussed was the Greenbrier Humane Society’s efforts to address the high number of animal surrenders in Greenbrier County, partnerships with local vets, and community outreach. Representatives from the Greenbrier County Family Support Center and Davis Stuart recognized the need to reduce homelessness and abuse of children, along with a proclamation recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month and the announcement of the upcoming Children’s Memorial Flag Day Ceremony. Properties for agricultural land conservation easements were also discussed.
Jen Runyon, president of the Humane Society, and Mereda Doss, executive director, presented their annual report to the Commission. Surrender totals in 2023 were 771 dogs and 1,075 cats. In addition to these 1,846 animals, GHS provided care for 90 dogs brought in by the ACO (animal control officer). The average length of stay has increased to over 30 days. GHS is a no-euthanization shelter and reached its tenth anniversary for such in February 2024. No animal will be euthanized due to overcrowding or non-adoptions. They work with local adopters and several rescue partners out of state to help the mission of reducing animal overpopulation in the county. Euthanization only occurs for uncontrolled aggression or untreatable illnesses.
It is the goal of GHS to spay and neuter as many cats and dogs as possible to reduce the number of unwanted litters, which will strongly impact the number of surrenders in Greenbrier County. In 2023, 1,257 animals were spayed or neutered at a reduced or zero cost to the animal owners, courtesy of the GHS voucher program. The average surgery costs around $100, and since 2009, that cost has increased. GHS has raised and spent over one million dollars in this program since 2009. No county money is used to facilitate the surgeries and every animal that leaves the shelter will be spayed or neutered, as well as be brought to date on necessary shots and vaccines.
Special projects include the construction of an isolation building that houses sick animals; keeping them safely at a distance from healthy ones, foster programs to help with acclamation and obedience or needed weight gain periods before neuter/spay surgeries; Doggy Day Out where pups can get out for the day experiencing normalcy and bridging mental health gaps; and a food pantry for citizens. The food pantry donates animal foods to local food banks, as the struggle to feed a pet can decide whether or not that pet is ultimately surrendered. All in all, the services provided are invaluable.
Lesley Toliver of The Greenbrier Family Support Center in Rupert was approved in her request that April be recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month. The goal of the family center is to emphasize the importance of providing safe, stable homes for children’s growth and development.
“All children are the most valuable resource a community has and they are also the most vulnerable. They have a right to be safe, and to be provided an opportunity to thrive, learn and grow. Child Abuse and neglect can be prevented by supporting and strengthening our families, thus preventing the far reaching effects of maltreatment providing the opportunity for children to develop healthy, trusting family bones, and consequently building the foundations of community.That by providing safe, stable and nurturing relationships for our children, free of violence, abuse and neglect, we can ensure that West Virginia’s children will grow to their full potential as the next generation of leaders have been to securing the future of this state and the nation.”
There will be a Children’s Memorial flag raising in honor of children lost to abuse on Friday, April 26, at noon at the Greenbrier County Courthouse. The public is encouraged to attend.
Amy Moloney, director of the Greenbrier County Farmland Protection Board was present to highlight the importance of preserving agricultural land for future generations and to seek approval of conservation easements for two local properties. The Greenbrier County Farmland Protection Program has been very successful in preserving agricultural land and providing financial support to farmers since it began in 2000. It has protected over 2,500 acres of farmland through conservation easements. When the Farmland Protection Board purchases development rights from landowners, it ensures the land will remain in agricultural use in perpetuity while allowing farmers to receive financial compensation. The program has brought over $2.5 million in county funds and $2.3 million in state and federal funds to support local farmers and the agricultural community. It’s an important initiative for sustaining agriculture as a way of life and economic driver in Greenbrier County.
