© 2024 Louisville Public Media

Public Files:
89.3 WFPL · 90.5 WUOL-FM · 91.9 WFPK

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact info@lpm.org or call 502-814-6500
89.3 WFPL News | 90.5 WUOL Classical 91.9 WFPK Music | KyCIR Investigations
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Stream: News Music Classical

Many Metro Animal Services Duties To Be Privatized

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer has announced that the city will soon privatize many of the duties now performed by Metro Animal Services.The city will continue to oversee animal control, but pet care, sheltering and adoptions will be handled by a private firm that Fischer hopes to have in place by July 1st.The mayor’s announcement coincides with the release of a review of MAS he ordered shortly after taking office in January."Animal services in my view is in need of such a turnaround that we must take drastic, significant steps to turn around the culture and performance of Metro Animal Services. The problems and mismanagement have, quite frankly, gone on for too long, and it's time for significant change," he said. The review, conducted by a six-person committee, found what it called “multiple issues “ with management and methods used to oversee the 53-person workforce. It also found the agency’s Manslick Road facility to be “grossly substandard.” and recommends it be abandoned.Fischer says the city is launching a national search for the private agency. An animal control director will likely be promoted from within the city agency.

Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.