Future of Waggs and Wishes, County Animal Control Agreement Still Uncertain

In 2010, Ferndale had to cut animal control services from its budget to help close a $3 million hole. Since the elimination, , a no-kill shelter still looking for nonprofit status, has taken over a portion of the duties of the former animal control department.

Now, however, the news that Oakland County is offering Ferndale free animal control services throws uncertainty at Waggs. If Ferndale accepts the county's offer, it will have to hand over the control of the building and its animals to Oakland County.

“We knew it was coming, we just did not expect it to happen so abruptly,” Waggs co-founder Angie Potter said.

The organization has multiple petitions circulating to find a donated building for Waggs.

“That’s just the residents speaking about what is put out in the community and what they want in the community,” Potter said. She said she appreciates the steps Waggs supporters have taken to keep the organization houses on the yard, but she will understand any decision Ferndale makes and continue to do what she loves: rescuing animals.

“The reality is that Oakland County is on the verge of providing the city with services on a county level,”  Chief Timothy Collins said.

He said it is not in his interest to see Waggs go, but to do what is best for the city. “That’s not anything on my goal list to do and I think what they are doing and what they have done is very good," he said.

Since Waggs has been helping Ferndale with animal control, Collins said it has taken some of the pressure off of his officers from having to deal with animal calls, allowing him to put them back into patrolling Ferndale.

Waggs and Wishes takes into its care cats and dogs and is allowed to operate so long as the building is maintained and all legalities and certificates for operation of an animal rescue are kept updated.

Also, in accordance with the contract with the city of Ferndale, Waggs is required to immunize animals against diseases such as rabies before they are adopted. Additionally, it is not contractually obligated to respond to stray dog calls but it does anyway.

Although Potter said she is ready and willing to be responsible for certain animal control services, there is still the matter of services that Waggs legally can’t do. For example, Waggs and Wishes does not have the legal authority to investigate animal cruelty and dog bites.

Collins said having the county take over animal control services would allow Ferndale to get back these basic animal control services. Though these services will be a "lighter version," they will be free.

“I completely understand why they would be going with Oakland County, it would free up a lot of their work force and that’s great," Potter said.

“The bottom line is my first responsibility is to make sure we have the best care for animal control the city can afford. There is no charge that is why we want it, and Oakland County will have a legal authority to enforce laws,” Collins said. "My focus is to do whatever I can to get the Oakland County services integrated in the cities use.”

Services provided by Oakland County will include:

• bite investigation
• animal cruelty investigations
• sterilizations
• dog licensing
• stray dog pick up

Collins said at this point so early in negotiations, the relationship Waggs and Wishes will have with the city of Ferndale has not been discussed, but his aim is to do what is best for the residents of Ferndale.

Mayor Pro Tem Kate Baker said she received a letter from a Waggs supporter and passed it on to other City Council members. “I think Ferndale is certainly big enough for both of them to operate, it’s just the matter of services and what Waggs and Wishes can do legally," she said.

While council has not officially received an agreement, new Mayor Dave Coulter said he is grateful for Oakland County and Waggs and Wishes.

“Waggs and Wishes did the city a wonderful favor by stepping in and I truly hope there is a role for (them) in the future, even if we do have an agreement with Oakland County," Coulter said. "Though at this point I am not sure what that will be.”