ARC progress report shows 90.3% live release rate, new homes for 99 pets

DAYTON — A January progress report released Friday shows the major strides made by the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center.

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The county animal shelter found new homes for 99 pets and achieved a live release rate of 90.3 percent, Interim Director Robert Gruhl said.

The live release rate is calculated by dividing the number of live outcomes from adoptions, transfers and return to owner cases by total outcomes (live outcomes plus euthanasia). The 2017 rate was 56.7 percent, according to a "top-to-bottom" review in December by Team Shelter USA.

“As our live release rate has increased, we need help from citizens and our rescue organizations more than ever,” Gruhl said. “Your partnership will ensure that we find loving homes for all the animals in our care.”

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The shelter also is reaching out to local rescue groups to get feedback on operations and services. Gruhl said this is to improve trust and collaboration among the agencies, and to incorporate feedback into improvements.

The shelter is focused on promoting adoptions through Facebook and community events, and will host a free adoption event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 16 at the shelter. A sponsor is covering license fees as well so there will be no cost to the new owner.

These moves come as the county and agency promise 2019 “to be a transformative year” for the facility.

In December, its longtime director, Mark Kumpf, was terminated amid increased scrutiny from animal welfare advocates about the number of animals put to death at the facility.