Facilities bid for stray animal care in Green Bay
By: Millaine Wells
Updated: January 28, 2013
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) - For more than 50 years stray and runaway animals in Green Bay have been taken to the Bay Area Humane Society.
Now, the city has opened the process up to bids.
"It is always a good idea to make sure tax payers are getting a good investment for their dollar" say Green Bay Assistant City Attorney Kail Decker.
For more than six years the city of Green Bay has operated under the guidelines of an old contract with Bay Area Humane Society.
"We think we can provide the best care. We are close to Green Bay. The number of animals we adopted out and are saving has increased significantly in the last 4 years" says Stephen Heaven, Executive Director for the Bay Area Humane Society.
Now Green Bay is considering a bid from BAHS and three other facilities.
"There are many factors that become part of our decision making process and price is one of those. Service is certainly even more important" says Rick Jensen, Purchasing Agent for the City of Green Bay.
However, not all the facilities in the bidding process are in Green Bay, and that has some residents concerned.
"Why am I paying for a license here if they're not going to help me here" says resident Allen Cummings.
The Fox Valley Humane Association is located 36 miles from the heart of Green Bay.
Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary is in Marion, 52 miles away, though they do have a Green Bay adoption center.
The fourth option, Packerland Veterinary Center is in Green Bay, but would only be able to house animals for a few days before sending them to another facility.
Bay Area says the contract they proposed may actually wind up costing the city less than it does now, per animal.
"We are by no means asking for what it costs to put an animal through this shelter" says Heaven.
A grassroots effort is underway on Facebook to keep service local.
"Contact your aldermen and let's try to keep the contract right here in Green Bay" says Scott Vanidestine, President of the Wilder Park Neighborhood Association.
The public will have the chance to attend the city council meeting when this issue will be taken up.
It is not yet on the agenda.
