DEARBORN, Mich. – The fate of stray animals in Dearborn is unclear, as the city’s contract with its animal shelter expires on Monday.
During a special meeting on Wednesday (June 26), officials with Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit (FAMD) and city council members discussed the proposed contract.
FAMD Board Chair MaryAnn Wright broke down the proposed offer.
Wright said the average stay for an animal at the shelter is 20 days. Under the proposed contract, the city is responsible for paying for the first four days, which is $324 per dog and $282 per cat.
That cost includes spay and neutering.
“We simply want the city to pay the actual cost for us to care for the animals for those four days,” Wright said. “From day five until we adopt the animal out, it is all up to us and our donors.”
Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud estimated that the shelter would take in 55% more animals than under the current contract.
“When you have a contract that comes up that has a 55% increase, we have to ask the specifics of how that’s happening,” Hammoud said during Wednesday’s meeting.
During the meeting, council members, the mayor, and FAMD officials debated each cost and its importance.
A few city council members objected to the city covering the spay and neuter costs.
“It’s also a matter of taking our limited financial resources and trying to prioritize them for the entire community at large,” City Council member Robert Abraham said.
FAMD repeatedly reminded city officials that the city is on its own if they don’t reach a deal by Sunday night.
“The city, however, would be responsible for performing this function, which they’re not ready to do,” Wright said.
Wright went so far as to say they’ll shut their doors if no deal is reached by Sunday night.
“We will have signs on the doors with all your phone numbers and emails, and they can bring the animals to you,” Wright said to the council members.
The special meeting on Wednesday was packed with animal supporters who pledged their support for FAMD during public comments.
City officials and FAMD plan to negotiate over the next few days in hopes of agreeing.