Fulton County’s animal control services will be in new hands by March despite concerns about the financial resources of the company that will do the work.
The county Board of Commissioners Wednesday awarded a contract to the LifeLine Animal Project, which will replace a contractor that had come under fire from many animal lovers. The new contract will cost about $2.4 million annually, with much of the funding coming from cities that contract with the county to provide the service.
Commissioners awarded the contract after months of lobbying by concerned animal lovers, who said the current vendor – the nonprofit Barking Hound Village Foundation – endangered animals. Critics have long complained about Barking Hound. Among other things, they say it has put down animals with adoptions pending and questioned spending on out-of-town hotels and restaurants.
Barking Hound’s owner has dismissed the claims as the allegations of a “terminated volunteer.” And a county audit of the out-of-town expenses was inconclusive. Nonetheless, the foundation has said it’s losing money on the contract and did not respond to a recent county request for bids.
The new contractor may have its own problems. Interim County Manager David Ware recommended the commission reject both companies that sought the contract because of concerns they didn’t have sufficient financial resources.
Commissioners downplayed those concerns. “I don’t think a company would apply if they couldn’t handle it,” said Commissioner Joan Garner.
Wednesday’s action was the latest twist in Fulton County’s recent animal control debates. The county provides animal control services for incorporated and unincorporated areas, with cities picking up much of the cost.
Two previous efforts to bid the contract produced no responses. The county tried again recently and received two responses: one from the LifeLine Animal Project and another from Siwell Group.
A committee that reviewed the companies’ proposals expressed concerns about the ability of both companies to maintain adequate cash flow. Ware had similar concerns, and recommended the county reopen the contract.
Commissioners played down those concerns, noting that financial factors accounted for relatively little in the county’s scoring system for the contract. They also noted LifeLine Animal Project scored higher in the county review process.
Only Commissioner Tom Lowe voted against awarding the contract to LifeLine. He wants the county to do the work itself instead of contracting it out.
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