Smith County commissioners promote animal adoption at Tuesday meeting

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - Smith County commissioners discussed the voter-approved tax rate increase, as well as an effort to promote animal adoption in their Tuesday meeting.

The month of August is known as “Clear the Shelter” month to animal shelters and rescues across the nation.

Amber Greene, the supervisor for the Smith County Animal Control and Shelter, said this campaign was started in 2014.

“It’s just to bring awareness to get the animals that are need and in shelters into loving homes and also for the smaller entities like shelters and rescues the needed donations that are also needed throughout the year,” Greene said.

Greene said they currently have around 58 dogs in the shelter. While that isn’t their capacity, the number ebbs and flows and it could easily increase fast.

“It’s just a constant battle with the heat and people trying and not being able to provide certain things for the dogs and so they are dumping them and of course we are picking them up,” Greene said.

Greene said this month adoption fees are waived if people donate certain items.

“What we’re doing is we are waiving our adoption fees in exchange for someone bringing in like a sack full of washcloths or hand towels or blankets, because that helps with cleaning the kennels and providing them blankets,” Greene said.

On August 26 they will be hosting a free adoption event in hopes of completely clearing the shelter.

“Not only when you are adopting an animal you aren’t just saving that dog’s life, you are saving the one that is coming in to replace it,” Greene said.

The clear the shelter event will be at the Smith County Animal Shelter August 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Commissioners also approved a proposed tax rate Tuesday. It is not the final tax rate for the year, but this approval is to move forward with the tax rate process.

Last year, the tax rate was $0.33. The proposed tax rate is now $0.347, a $0.017 increase. This is a voter-approved increase for the Smith County Courthouse updates and parking garage project.

Copyright 2023 KLTV. All rights reserved.