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BELLAIRE—Like an unwanted stray dog, Antrim County's animal control division can not seem to find anyone willing to give it a loving home.
The county sheriff's department has operated the animal control division in cramped quarters on the grounds of the Antrim County Airport for decades. But for years, the Federal Aviation Administration has been calling for the shelter to be moved for safety reasons.
But, try as they might, county officials have not been able to find a location for the division because residents do not want it nearby. That is why commissioners are now exploring the possibility of privatizing the animal control operation.
Dr. Steve Halstead, a veterinarian with the Michigan Department of Agriculture who oversees all of the state's animal control facilities, said privatization of such facilities, while uncommon, has worked effectively in some areas. If the facilities were privatized, the sheriff's department or county administrators would still ensure that state animal control requirements are followed, but a private vendor would staff and operate the facility.
Antrim County is not alone in having a growing population and a decades-old facility that can no longer meet the county's animal control needs. "Privatization looks like the best alternative for them right now," Halstead says.
