Dr. Ed Sellers (left, second from front) displays blueprints of the Santa Rosa County, Fla. animal shelter. (SA photo by Evan Carden) Clarke County Commissioner Elma Averitt told the county's animal shelter committee, Thursday, Sept. 25, that he hopes to have a building donated by the county to be used as an animal shelter.

Averitt said he has been in contact with Superintendent of Education Gerald Stephens and school board president Marty Parker about the possibility of acquiring the old board of education building once it is vacated.

The need for a kennel area to be constructed was discussed. Local veterinarian Dr. Ed Sellers presented blueprints of the facility in Milton, Fla. He said he had met with animal control personnel there and in Brewton, and had examined both facilities.

Sellers said he feels the Milton facility is a good model to follow and suggested the county consider a similar design only on a smaller scale.

The estimated cost for operating the facility is $250,000. Chair of the committee, Commissioner Patricia Du- Bose, said a commitment is needed from each municipality.

Partnering with some of the adjacent counties is also being considered. Washington County Probate Judge and Commission Chairman Charles Singleton was present for the meeting. He said although his county is financially strapped, he realizes they will eventually have to do something.

He would make no firm commitment, financially or otherwise, during Thursday's meeting. But, he asked that several of the committee members and Clarke County commissioners attend one of the Washington County Commission meetings to explain to commissioners there what is being proposed.

The committee projects that approximately 2,000 animals (dogs and cats combined) will be circulated through the shelter per year. Efforts will be made to educate the public on taking care of pets to cut down on the number of strays in the county.

The group discussed the extreme need for such a facility. Jerry Chastain Jr., who lives in the Tellie Trail subdivision, just north of the Jackson city limits, said until a stray dog came to his home and eventually needed an operation after it was shot, he was unaware there was no animal shelter for county residents to utilize. Members of the community donated money for the dog's operation.

"If people can raise $500 to $1,000 for an operation for one dog, we can surely raise enough for a county animal shelter," said Chastain.