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No animal left behind.
That's the message that Ogden Public Services Director Jay Lowder wants to convey as this northern Utah city shutters its animal shelter and transfers operations to Weber County's newly expanded, state-of-the-art facility.
Beginning Monday, the Carol Conroy Browning-Ogden Animal Shelter at 1490 Park Blvd. will stop taking new animals. And through Nov. 15, a cat-and-dog clearance sale is under way.
"We're making every effort to place these animals in good homes," Lowder said, "and those that don't get adopted, we'll move to the new facility."
However, animals deemed unsuitable for adoption will be euthanized rather than relocated, said Chad Ferrin, director of Weber County's shelter at 1373 N. 750 West.
About 100 animals — predominantly cats but several dogs as well — still remain at the Ogden facility, said shelter director Bob Geier.
Those that make the move will enjoy the upgrade, Geier said, touting the new shelter's heated floors, natural light and segregated quarters for dogs and cats.
Ferrin, a lieutenant in the Weber County Sheriff's Office, said the $2 million project expanded the facility from 5,000 to 20,000 square feet to accommodate Ogden's influx of strays.
Nearby Roy previously contracted with Ogden — and its business also shifts to Weber County come Monday. With five new full- and part-time employees, Weber's shelter operations will employ 15 full and part time workers.
The new layout includes two outside exercise rooms. The building also has a fenced "acquaintance area" where people can interact with prospective pets — and test how a current furred family member might react to the new addition.
So far, cities have tentatively agreed to pay Weber County $85 per animal brought to its shelter — but they will not be charged for those reclaimed by their owners.
The consolidation with Weber will, worst case, provide a break-even scenario for Ogden, said Chief Administrative Officer John Patterson, and best case, a savings of $30,000 a year.
"We'll enjoy some economies of scale, and it should be better for the animals," Patterson said. "And owners will have a single place to redeem their pets."
Animal advocates have mixed emotions about the change.
Ogden City Councilwoman Amy Wicks' concerns range from Weber's adoption rates and its marketing of pets to its hours. Ferrin said Weber County does not yet have the manpower to open on Saturdays.
Carol Conroy Browning — a Humane Society visionary and driving force behind the $120,000 fundraising campaign for Ogden's shelter construction in the 1980s — expressed sadness over the fate of her namesake.
"We gave that [money] in good faith, and the city has broken its trust," Browning said. "I'm so sorry that they don't understand our [educational] mission and that they feel they know better."
Browning had hoped to dedicate space in the shelter to teaching children about compassion for all forms of life. It never developed, in part because she lived abroad for a number of years. Browning has since switched her focus to conducting workshops for Weber schoolteachers.
Deborah Barnes, president of the Northern Utah Humane Society (NUHS), said she intends to meet with Ferrin and form a partnership to help boost adoptions. "Unfortunately, they don't have the resources and time to get the animals out for adoptions," she said.
Patterson said there might be room in the Ogden shelter for Barnes to use for an office, as she hopes. Portions of the old shelter, which is becoming part of Ogden's Dinosaur Park, are being used by the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah and Jim Dix's Reptile Rescue operation.
Ogden shelter Going out of business
P Ogden's animal shelter, at 1490 Park Blvd., is closing. Through Nov. 15:
The shelter is open for adoptions 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
It will offer a two-for-one cat adoption special, plus free cats to senior citizens age 65 and older.
Dogs also will be available at reduced prices. Spayed or neutered dogs are $25; unsterilized dogs cost $75. New owners get a medical voucher to defray checkup, vaccination and sterilization costs. —
Weber County shelter Expanding care
P Starting Monday, Weber County's shelter at 1373 N. 750 West in Ogden will care for animals from Ogden as well as Farr West, Hooper, Huntsville, Marriott-Slaterville, North Ogden, Plain City, Roy, Washington Terrace, West Haven and all unincorporated areas of the county.
Hours • Weber's shelter is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with adoption hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Shelters • Weber County cities that still run their own shelter services include Riverdale, South Ogden, Uintah and Pleasant View.