Spay/neuter company ends contract with Macon-Bibb Animal Welfare 4 months early

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Saving Animals from Euthanasia (SAFE) is ending its contract with Macon-Bibb Animal Welfare four months early.

SAFE was contracted to handle adoption and spay/neuter services as of August 1, 2015. The company’s fee was $9,583 a month.

The company sent a letter to the county dated March 29, 2016 saying “I am sorry that the relationship between Macon-Bibb County and SAFE has not worked out.” The letter says SAFE will end the agreement on April 30.

Macon-Bibb Animal Welfare Director Sonja Adams said the agreement is ending because of a difference of opinion on what is and isn’t considered an adoptable animal. Adams explained the company owner felt she could better serve the community by focusing only on spay and neuter services. This was the first time the county has used the company for adoption services.

“We’ve always had contact with SAFE. We’ve used them in the past because they do offer the low cost spay and neutering, so with the mandatory spay and neuter law that we have, SAFE is one of the options we give to people to get their animal spayed or neutered,” said Adams.

Animal Welfare will be taking over adoption services and fees will be dropping. Adams said the department is excited to be handling adoption services again because it will give her a chance to show the positive changes that have taken place since she took over as director. Adoption fees will also be reduced.

“SAFE adoption fees go up to $150. Ours are going to be 80 for dogs and 75 for cats,” explained Adams.

A strong relationship with rescue groups remains a top priority throughout this transition.

“We literally could not do this job without them. They are the heart and soul of what we do. There was a time when an animal would come in with mange or a lot of fleas and they were put down and that’s something we don’t do anymore,” explained Adams.

County spokesperson Chris Floore said animal intake has increased because Animal Welfare has been able to focus on public safety while SAFE handled adoptions. He added the county is considering putting an adoption services out for bid again.