Shelter director resigns

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The Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter

Shelter director resigns

Posted by

Zach Mitcham

in Top Stories

Friday, August 19. 2011

Comments (32)

Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter director Susan Fornash has resigned.

The director’s last day was July 29. Fornash took the job in January 2009.

“They were basically all personal reasons,” said Fornash of her reasons for resigning. “Just the stress of the job and I’m just worn out — and I just was not able to do it anymore.”

Fornash said the shelter staff, which includes two full-time workers and four part-time employees, works hard for little compensation.

“It’s a good shelter; it’s got a good staff,” said Fornash. “They work very hard for very little money. And I wish the people in both counties appreciated that more.”

Fornash says the shelter faces constant financial strains.

“I’m frightened for the future of the shelter,” said Fornash. “It takes a certain amount of money to keep the shelter going. It’s always been a struggle financially. When you have as many animals turned in as that shelter receives, people don’t realize that every one of those animals has a dollar figure attached to it. And people just don’t seem to understand that when they turn in a litter of nine puppies.”

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#1 Anonymous on 08/19/11 at 12:58 PM [Reply]

Remember when the folks who pushed the Animal Control and Shelter down our throats (most of whom moved away from Madison County long ago) told us it wouldn't cost much and they would never need taxpayer money?

Remember?

If you don't remember, you can go back and listen to the tapes of the meetings, and you can hear literally speaker after speaker telling commissioners that we don't need this and it's going to turn into a money pit.

Looks like the simple country folk of Madison County were right all along. We told you.

#1.1 Anonymous on 08/19/11 at 07:05 PM [Reply]

Glad you admit to being simple.

#1.2 Questions for Anonymous on 08/19/11 at 08:50 PM [Reply]

I'm sorry but your comments about not needing the shelter in Madison County do not go with the article at all.

Did you read the statement "When you have as many animals turned in as that shelter receives, people don’t realize that every one of those animals has a dollar figure attached to it. And people just don’t seem to understand that when they turn in a litter of nine puppies" ? This says to me that there are too many animals being turned in and not enough help from the community that is turning in those the animals.

I ask you - What is the alternative to the animal shelter? Where are all these animals going to go if there isn't a shelter? On the side of the road? Even if you aren't an animal lover, you have to understand that a shelter is a place to take unwanted/homeless animals and a vital part of any community.

I understand the tax payer part of your comment, but do you really think that Madison County doesn't need a shelter or you just don't want to pay for it?

#1.2.1 Resident Redneck on 08/20/11 at 02:35 AM [Reply]

I agree with your statement and most of this falls back on the pet owners if Madison Co. don't have a shelter these pet owners will drop these puppies on the side of the road either because they can't take care of them or they just don't want them? For whatever reason if pet owners would just have their pets fixed it would stop all this? If you have a pure breed dog that you want to breed build a pen to keep it in AND make sure nothing can get to it.

#1.3 lisa on 08/28/11 at 09:08 PM [Reply]

If the simple folk of Madison County would get their animals spayed and neutered.We wouldn't have ever NEEDED a shelter!The simple folk cost us all.Don't pass on the blame to the shelter,the public needs to ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY!

#1.3.1 Resident Redneck on 08/30/11 at 09:03 PM [Reply]

lisa- AMEN you tell it girl. People talk about how much it cost for them to spay and neuter their pets? If they would spend this money we wouldn't be having this fuss over what the animal shelter is costing THEM? AND these same people probably don't give to the animal shelter of their own free will.

#2 Linda on 08/19/11 at 07:28 PM [Reply]

My heart and my prayers go out to you, Susan. I can only imagine what you've been dealing with. Y'all all do such a wonderful job. The shelter does provide a needed service to the community. It does help keep away some of the dog packs and feral cats that might otherwise roam freely. Sometimes, there are those, who for some unfortunate reason, have to give up a pet, or find a stray they can't keep. Where would they go, if not for the Shelter? You all work so hard trying to find good, safe homes for those animals you house. It's those who don't/won't have their pets spayed or neutered and think they can just take the puppies and kittens to the Shelter every time they have a litter are the ones bleeding it dry. It just doesn't make sense not to do it, there are low costs options for getting your pet spayed and neutered.
You did a great job, Susan, and I wish you well in whatever else you do.
Thank you to all who work and volunteer at the Shelter. Your efforts may go unnoticed by some, but not by me.

#2.1 Redneck on 08/22/11 at 09:39 AM [Reply]

Put the Huff fella in charge. That way he earns his pay.

#2.1.1 Resident Redneck on 08/22/11 at 11:35 AM [Reply]

Redneck- That would work I mean he deals with animal cases anyway. I never could figure out why he wasn't in charge of the shelter to begin with?

#2.1.2 Agree with Redneck on 08/22/11 at 01:03 PM [Reply]

Totally agree, paying him to drink coffee and hang out in courthouse makes no sense!

#2.1.3 MC on 08/23/11 at 08:26 AM [Reply]

I second Huff doing this. He would be dooing something.

#2.1.3.1 Resident Redneck on 08/23/11 at 06:52 PM [Reply]

MC- The BOC will say that won't work because they don't want to over extend a current county employee. They will want to hire someone new and pay them a small fortune? NO WAIT THIS AIN'T THE REC.DEPT. so this person they will get will have to start at the rock bottom?

#2.1.3.1.1 Redneck on 08/24/11 at 03:30 PM [Reply]

Would not over extend Huff in my thought.

#2.1.3.1.1.1 Resident Redneck on 08/24/11 at 07:06 PM [Reply]

NO Resneck I'm not saying it would over extend him I am saying The BOC will say it will SO they can hire someone else that if they get mad at they can fire if they get ready? I don't think any of them has the guts to fire Huff? I think he has been here longer than any of them?

#2.1.3.1.1.1.1 MC curious on 08/25/11 at 04:04 PM [Reply]

Why will BOC not tangle with Huff. R they afraid of him.

#2.1.3.1.1.1.1.1 Resident Redneck on 08/25/11 at 09:37 PM [Reply]

MC curious- To answer your question in one word: YEP they are scared of him because Jack Huff won't take their crap and I think Huff has been here as long as God?

#2.1.3.1.1.1.1.1.1 MC curious on 08/26/11 at 03:58 PM [Reply]

But does he do a good job.

#2.1.3.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 Resident Redneck on 08/27/11 at 10:14 AM [Reply]

Yeah MC curious- I think he would do a great job.

#2.1.3.1.1.1.1.1.2 Another MC on 08/27/11 at 10:32 AM [Reply]

Does he do what he is supposed to do and what is that by the way ?

#2.1.3.1.1.1.1.1.2.1 Resident Redneck on 08/28/11 at 04:31 AM [Reply]

Another MC- I don't know I DO NOT GET PAID TO BABY SIT HIM and make sure he does his job? BUT FOR $50,000. a year I will gladly take the job?

#2.1.3.1.1.2 Local on 08/25/11 at 09:06 AM [Reply]

has that guy ever been over extended

#2.1.3.1.2 MadCoRes on 08/25/11 at 12:54 PM [Reply]

Resident Redneck, if I'm not mistaken, the Rec. Dept. employee who received a promotion has worked there for a number of years and was promoted because the department consolidated three full time positions into two. If you were expected to take on half the job duties/responsibilities of the position that was eliminated, wouldn't you want a raise and promotion? Back to the subject at hand, I feel the animal shelter serves a real need in our community. I certainly hope they will be able to find a capable person to fill this vacancy and the shelter will remain open. Special thanks to Ms. Fornash for her hard work and dedication.

#2.1.3.1.2.1 Taxed on 08/25/11 at 08:07 PM [Reply]

If the rec. department could consolidate three full-time positions into two and save $37,000 per year, why wasn't this done years and years ago ??? And how could the promoted employoee add half the work load of the position that was eliminated if she was already doing the work of a full-time position ???

#2.1.3.1.2.1.1 Resident Redneck on 08/26/11 at 12:24 PM [Reply]

Taxed- That's just what I said?

#2.1.3.1.2.1.2 MadCoRes on 08/26/11 at 03:48 PM [Reply]

Taxed, I am assuming the consolidation took place now for the same reason companies and government agencies all over our country are consolidating positions and laying off qualified employees - our economy. I don't think it necessarily means the position is not needed; only that the BOC has decided to make do without it for the time being. Is it an ideal situation? Time will tell. How does one person who already works full time take on even more responsibility? Well, how do our teachers who would normally have 15 students in a classroom now teach 20? I guess the answer is they work harder because they have to. If a person wants to keep their job, they figure out a way to make it happen.

#2.1.3.1.2.1.2.1 Resident Redneck on 08/27/11 at 10:22 AM [Reply]

MadCoRes- You are exactly right with our economy the way it is how can anyone including our BOC justify giving someone a raise? Next they'll probably want to lay someone off who works for the sheriffs Dept. or one of the EMT's?

#2.1.3.1.2.2 Resident Redneck on 08/25/11 at 09:54 PM [Reply]

MadCoRes- They could promise them a raise then not do it? The BOC is real good at making promises and then NOT keeping them.

#2.2 dog on 08/22/11 at 01:58 PM [Reply]

Control freaks. Screwing up the earth, screwing up nature, every chance they get. The Beatles said it best, "Let it be, let it be."

John Lennon knew even more, "There are no problems. Only solutions."

Y'all make things worse. Let it be.

#3 Resident Redneck on 08/19/11 at 08:25 PM [Reply]

She said she wasn't able to do it anymore? That may be a nice way of saying she wasn't able to digest anymore of the BOC's crap? NOBODY that works for the shelter will ever get a pay raise as long as the current BOC is running the county? Heck nobody that works for the county will ever get a raise? The only way to get a raise in Madison Co.is to go to work for the Rec.Department? Hey why not with what they are paying the assistant director of the Rec. Dept. give thim this job too? That way we will be getting our money's worth out of them?

#3.1 Anonymous on 08/24/11 at 05:44 PM [Reply]

When the few nuts who wanted animal control proposed this THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT NEED OUR MONEY. My, how their tune has changed just like all of us who packed the meeting room said! Now, we the people and the commissioners are merely holding them to their word. Good work, men.

#4 Linda on 08/23/11 at 10:36 PM [Reply]

fyi, there is a donation campaign going on for the Shelter. It started with all the facebook fans...asking for a donation of $2 each. A generous donor told them if they raised $500 by Aug 31st, he'd match the donation. If you haven't yet donated, please contribute $2 (or even more, if the spirit moves you). Go to website moaspets.org and click Donate. You can even donate using paypal. Thanks.

#4.1 Anonymous on 08/26/11 at 09:56 PM [Reply]

Agree. Shelter needs to be funded with voluntary donations, not tax dollars. I donated, so I'm all paid up.

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