SNOW HILL — Seeing the plight of stray animals first hand has caused one Greene County resident to decide to make a difference in the lives of area animals.
Quentin Warren said he has been rescuing animals for several years.
“I feel like whenever God puts a suffering animal in my path, I should help them,” he said.
He said he takes in mostly dogs, but on occasion will help out a few cats.
Warren said his first objective to take animals out of their suffering conditions, then he gives them food and shelter before finding a new home.
He said dogs that were once strays often make good pets.
“Mixed breeds and rescue dogs are some of the best kinds of animals because they never forget that you saved their life. I like to say in doggie terms that it gives them a new leash on life,” he said.
Warren said he pays expenses out of his own pocket; in recent years, though, it has gotten harder for him to pay those costs.
“I’m not saying I’m the only one rescuing animals, but it’s getting down to crunch time,” he said.
Warren, who currently has seven dogs in his care, said people can help, either through funding or adopting a dog.
One thing that has made it harder for Warren was the recent closure of Greene County Animal Shelter.
Greene County Health Director Michael Rhodes said the shelter was shut down Sept. 19after one employee went out on disability and the other resigned their position.
He said state health regulations require the county to handle rabies and dog bite calls and he has been able to secure a part-time employee to handle that part of the workload.
“We are doing that and investigating vicious animals, but we are not picking up strays because we don’t have the manpower to do it,” he said.
Rhodes said he is actively trying to find a part-time animal control officer so the shelter can be reopened. The problem is finding someone with the right qualifications.
“They have to have some type of experience in law enforcement and be able to work with animals,” he said.
Rhodes said he wants to have the shelter up and running as soon as he can and he hopes someone with the requisite experience will be interested in the position.
“I’m ready to hire somebody today if can get somebody to apply,” he said.
Until the shelter reopens, Warren is still taking in animals that show up near his property.
He said he has received help from Happy Jack and the Lenoir County SPCA among others, in proving food and other services for the animals, but funding and adoption are still big needs.
In the end, Warren said it’s about helping animals that are in need.
“This is not about me or the dogs I have, it’s a about creating a broader awareness to the plight of homeless and suffering animals,” he said.
For more information or to help, call Warren at 252-747-2132.
Noah Clark can be reached at 252-559-1073 or Noah.Clark@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @nclark763.