Union County animal control looking to expand - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

Union County animal control looking to expand

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  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:51 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:51:55 GMT
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    Mark Hasheider, the Emergency Management Coordinator with the Cape Girardeau Fire Department said disasters like Oklahoma make them double check they’re on track with their plan."We were watching the live video, you know our firefighters are talking about the what ifs, what we could do, where our problems are at," said Hasheider.You’ve probably driven by it before, Cape Girardeau Fire Station Number 3. But did you know if there was a disaster in Cape, it would be the emergency headquarters?"A...
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    Firefighters are on the scene of a fire in Jackson, Mo. Tuesday night.A fire broke out at 1931 West Jackson Boulevard. At this point authorities say it's not clear what type of building is on fire or if anyone has been hurt.Stay with Heartland News online and on-air while we bring you more information on this developing story.Copyright 2013 KFVS. All rights reserved.
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    Source: KFVS photojournalist Mike Mohundro
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ANNA, IL (KFVS) -

Union County leaders hope more space will save the lives of animals picked up by animal control.

The current facility has only 12 dog runs, an outdoor cat pen and a portable shed for an office. Animal Control Officer Brandi Wheeler says that small space makes it difficult to operate.

"It's very hard," said Wheeler. "We pick up 20-30 animals in a week. We don't have the space for them."

In the past, the shelter has become so full that animal control officers had to euthanize animals to make space.

"I assisted with the euthanasia when I first started here," said Wheeler. "When we got full, we would put down everything we had here. That was really hard for me."

For the past 18 months animal control officers have worked hard to place overflow animals elsewhere to avoid putting them down.

Union County leaders set aside money in the budget to expand animal control to help the hundreds of lost and neglected animals Union County comes across each year.

"We're looking for three acres to have a facility where we can fit these dogs and cats and horses, goats, pigs," said Union County Board chairman Don Denny. "Right now, we do not have anywhere to house them. So we have to take them to another facility or rent additional land from a farmer."

County Board chairman Don Denny says he's hopeful the City of Anna will sell or donate two acres at animal control's current location to expand what is already there.

"Our goal is to try to get a building this year so we can move forward," said Denny. "That's our goal, that's what we'd like to see."

Denny says the county has set aside more than $20,000 to purchase land and a new building. County leaders hope animal lovers will donate to help make union county's animal control the best it can be.

Copyright 2013 KFVS. All rights reserved.

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