Well that was quick.

Sunday, Post reporter John Surratt compiled a story about the troubling conditions about the city of Vicksburg’s animal shelter.

The story, which was accompanied by just as troubling images captured by Post photographer Courtland Wells, detailed how some of the animals were without water, were outside without shade and painted a less than flattering picture of the shelter itself.

The response from readers was overwhelming and thankfully, the response from city officials was swift.

Monday, Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs held meetings with those responsible with shelter and then with volunteer and animal activists to solve what was an unacceptable problem.

In short, it appears now the conditions and operational problems at the shelter will be addressed and more interaction from volunteers and outside groups will be invited and welcomed.

But what bothers many is the fact such a problem had existed in the first place.

With a budget just shy of $250,000, it is hard to believe providing drinking water to animals on a daily basis would be a problem.

With a budget of such size, you would think simple shade could be made available.

And, with such a important mission — serving both to man and animal — you would have thought partnerships with organizations wanting to help would have already been in place.

Vicksburg is not alone when it comes to problems in dealing with abandoned, unwanted and wandering animals. It is a thankless service that more times than not leads to problems such as these.

And, we know what often times happens to animals that are unable to find a home. We are not naive.

But, what we cannot accept, what we must find solutions for, is the lack of oversight and lack of responsibility in the operation of the shelter and its upkeep.

This story — and those who helped lead us to its publishing — proved to be an important catalyst for change.

And Flaggs was right when he warned the shelter’s leadership.

“The last people you want on you through social media or any media is this group (PAWS). I’m just telling you all. If you really want to get some political heat, this is the group,” Flaggs said.

In reality though, no one would have to worry about backlash and bad publicity from any media or group, if the right job had been done in the first place.

Flaggs was also right, we are watching, everyone is watching and we hope and expect those changes to be made quickly.

 

Tim Reeves is publisher of The Vicksburg Post. You may reach him at tim.reeves@vicksburgpost.com. Readers are invited to submit their opinions for publication.