GREENSBORO, N.C. — Several WFMY viewers reached out worried that the Guilford County Animal Shelter ended one of its most popular programs that gets dogs adopted.
We got some clarification from the county on what’s going out, and spoke with long-time volunteers.
When Heather Williams began volunteering at the Guilford County Animal Shelter she had no intentions of getting a dog of her own.
"I still have her shelter collar even though it's been almost a year," said Williams. "I feel like it’s a badge of honor. "
Williams began to grow a soft spot for one dog in particular named Lexi while volunteering for the Dogs Day Out program.
"She was showing signs of kennel stress and began to become depressed so we took her out and we said I guess she could stay the night then she stayed a week and now she is ours," Williams said.
Ashley Hughes joined Dogs Day out --where volunteers keep a dog for a day-- after losing her own dog.
She said it means a lot to her because the program protects dogs from euthanasia.
"This is definitely considered a high-volume shelter so dog day out is important because something that can cause such an out come is kennel stress," Hughes said. "Dog's Day Out limits the kennel stress."
It concerned both Ashley and Heather when rumors spread of the program ending because of staffing and funding.
We reached out to the shelter and were directed to Guilford County leaders.
They sent this statement:
“This week, additional funds were provided to support staffing needs. The Animal Services Department also is working closely with Human Resources to ensure sufficient staffing is in place and in line with rules regarding part-time and volunteer hours.”
County leaders said the shelter reached its staffing budget for the coordinator of the Dog's Day Out program so they won’t be able to work for the remainder of the year.
They said the program will continue--but they're putting a hold on new volunteers and will instead use veteran volunteers.
"There are currently close to 100 dog day out volunteers and that has grown. We are having to cut back to about 20 veteran volunteers who are very experienced with dogs who experience stress," Williams said. "It’s going to greatly impact the number of dogs that are able to get out."
Williams said she is concerned their furry friends will suffer.
The county said it took funds from other departments' overtime budgets to give the shelter $100,000 to help with funding and staffing concerns.