We’ve been in the process of selling our house and buying something with more land for our pups. So, posts have been a little sporadic. Please hang in there – as things slow down, I’ll start writing more!
In the meantime, here’s part of an email I received from a good friend about the animal welfare efforts in Maricopa County, AZ. This is one way to “git ‘er done”!
Maricopa County was spending approx. $18 million dollars a year on stray animals, like cats and dogs. Sheriff Joe offered to take the department over, and the County Supervisors said okay. The animal shelters are now all staffed and operated by prisoners. They feed and care for the strays. Every animal in his care is taken out and walked twice daily. He now has prisoners who are experts in animal nutrition and behavior. They give great classes for anyone who’d like to adopt an animal. He has literally taken stray dogs off the street, given them to the care of prisoners, and had them place in dog shows. The best part? His budget for the entire department is now under $3 million. Teresa and I adopted a Weimaraner from a Maricopa County shelter two years ago. He was neutered, and current on all shots, in great health, and even had a microchip inserted the day we got him. Cost us $78.
The prisoners get the benefit of about $0.28 an hour for working, but most would work for free, just to be out of their cells for the day. Most of his budget is for utilities, building maintenance, etc. He pays the prisoners out of the fees collected for adopted animals.
Filed under: Animal Welfare | Tagged: animal rescue, Animal Welfare, dogs, maricopa, sheriff Joe
Everyday he does something naughty or disgusting which makes us wonder why we brought him home from the shelter. He pees on our feet. He eats dirty clothes from the laundry basket. He picks fights with his 130lb brother George. He is a pain. But, despite his terrible behavior, we love him dearly.
I wish we had a Sheriff like Joe Arpaio. He needs to give a course on being a Sheriff. He has saved Maricopa Co. taxpayers a bundle by housing prisoners in tents and giving them bologna sandwiches. Hats off to him.
I think if they did that in California where I live, there would be lawsuits.
mediocrity says : I absolutely agree with this !
This is a really cool idea!
Hope people will look beyond all the hype surrounding Sheriff . . . when it comes right down to it, he does nothing to stop criminal activities . . . oh unless you are not white
He is a verbally abusive bully whi likes to pick on brown people.
Like him or not, he does have good ideas.