RELEASE
Recently, my office has received reports that my opposition is spreading rumors and posting signs that I am not in favor of the humane treatment of abandoned cats and dogs picked up by our Animal Control Officer within our City Limits. Nothing could be further from the truth!
Back on February 4, 2025, our Police Chief placed a matter on the Board of Alderperson’s agenda to discuss the termination of the City’s contract with the Humane Society of South Mississippi. The Police Chief as a cost-saving measure was proposing for the Animal Control Division of his Department to house these animals in a facility that would be installed on site at the Police Department on Espy Avenue. At the Board meeting the Police Chief informed the Board that based upon his cost analysis his department could adequately perform this service and significantly reduce the contractual expenditure to the Humane Society each year in his budget. The Police Chief further recommended that the City could continue to employ the services of the Humane Society on a limited basis whenever the Animal Control Officer was confronted with having to house a large number of animals after a court-ordered seizure.
Nevertheless, based upon input from members of the public and a local Board member of the Humane Society at the meeting the Board of Alderpersons voted to table the Police Chief’s request to allow time for the Mayor, Alderman Kimball and the City Attorney to meet with the Humane Society’s representatives to discuss negotiations to amend the contract to reduce services and the amount the City would pay the Humane Society for these limited services. It is the City’s intent to continue, if possible, its long partnership with the Humane Society by leveraging off our existing relationship to further enhance animal welfare and care in our community.
The City of Pass Christian would like to thank Eric Aschaffenburg, Gary Smith, and others in our City who have played an important role with the Humane Society in helping the City rescue those abandoned dogs and cats that require rescue services.
