After several months of improvements, the Farmington animal pound is nearly completed and a much better facility than before.

The old impoundment was a metal building with block partition walls between cages. The problem was the blocks were not sealed in any way, and the porous texture acted like a sponge for moisture and any other kind of contaminants you could expect to find in such a setting. In the end it wasn’t a very clean place ... and it was even harder to get and keep clean.

A few months ago work began to improve the facility. New outdoor cages were built with chain link cages atop concrete pads. Those cages are temporary holding pens for animals while the real pound facility is emptied for cleaning.

Inside the pound, workers removed the old partition walls and did a thorough cleaning. Then they applied a thick sealant to walls and the floor. New chain link cages were installed which are easier to clean. Removable metal low partition walls were made to further separate animals if needed. Those inserts can be easily removed for cleaning.

The building has a central drain where all debris and wastewater can be rinsed into and sent out a sewer drain. Two large sinks were added for washing animals if needed. A larger exhaust fan was also installed in the ceiling.

The area which houses cat cages was also improved in a separate room from the dog pound. 

It had been several years since the animal pound had seen any improvements. The facility is behind the west wastewater treatment plant and accessed off Perrine Road at the entrance to the sewer plant. A sign on the gate displays hours of operation for the pound. Calls about animals in the pound can be directed to the police department’s non-emergency number of 756-6686.

Another nice upgrade to the pound is the addition of a large outbuilding to house equipment, food and other items. There is also a new sign on the front of the pound identifying the building.

The city has ordinances pertaining to domesticated animals — listed in the ordinance as dogs, cats and domesticated others (including pot-bellied pigs, ferrets, hedgehogs, rabbits, chinchillas, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, mice, and other rodent-related animals). City laws do not pertain to, and the police department is not responsible for dealing with, other animals such as bats, snakes, skunks, foxes, deer, squirrels or others. Still, the animal control officer and other department personnel have helped assist with such animals in the past. Another option for dealing with wild animals which are becoming a problem is to contact the Missouri Department of Conservation office.

As for city ordinances, a resident cannot possess more than a combination of five of either cats, dogs or domestic “others”, with no more than three dogs in that group of animals. Newly-born animals can be kept up to six months before being counted in that ordinance-required maximum of five.

There are a few exceptions to the rule When the updated animal ordinance went into effect several years ago a deadline was given of Oct. 21, 2002, for anyone with more than five animals to register their assortment with the city clerk. Anyone who did register their animals at that time can still possess those particular animals, even if the number exceeds five.

Officers do not make a point of going door to door to count people’s animals, but they do respond to any calls of concern or animals at large. Anyone found in violation of a city animal ordinance receives a warning, then on a second offense is cited to appear in municipal court to face a charge. Penalty maximums for city ordinances go up to a $500 fine.

And all domestic animals are also required to be vaccinated for rabies. If an officer is called about an incident with an animal, he or she has the right to require vaccination records. Not having animals vaccinated is an ordinance violation.

And animals cannot run at large — that includes cat and domestic others as well as dogs. Any animals found unattended are picked up and placed in the pound. If the owner is known the officer will attempt to make contact. If not, it is up to the owner to realize their animal is missing and check with the police to see if it has been picked out.

Fees are charged to the owner for any animal picked up and housed at the pound. The cost is $3 for the first day and $1 a day thereafter. City guidelines require the department only keep animals housed for three days before having them destroyed. The department has taken the step to hold animals for seven days before having them destroyed.

As for other animal guidelines, it is unlawful for residents to own or keep livestock in residential or commercial areas. “Livestock” by the city definition includes cows, horses, mules, hogs, goats and poultry. Over the past several years many people have questioned how the farm adjacent to the high school and civic center can keep cows without violating the city ordinance. That property was not annexed into the city at the time land surrounding the farm was taken in.

As for the domestic animals — cat, dogs and domestic others — they now have a better place to stay should they find themselves incarcerated.

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