Collaborate on animal welfare

Cedar Rapids' animal control department and the Cedar Valley Humane Society both are embarking on new chapters. And we hope new leaders at both agencies will write more collaboration into their plans.

Zach Melton took over this past week as the new executive director of the Humane Society. He led a 24-hour animal hospital in Denver, Colo., and has been working at the local agency as a consultant.

And at month's end, Diane P. Webber will take over as the new director at the city's animal control department. She currently directs the central region office of the Humane Society of the United States. And last year, Webber managed an emergency shelter for hundreds of flood-displaced animals at Kirkwood Community College. She has responded to more than 30 disasters through her work with the Humane Society.

Both new arrivals face challenges. We also think it's a great opportunity for finding ways to collaborate.

Melton, who is the seventh director in eight years, takes over an agency that has been rocked over the past year by financial issues, personnel dismissals and controversy spawned from those episodes. His first order of business is to stabilize the agency and rebuild its public image.

Webber takes over just as big decisions are being made about where animal control will be housed after its facility was damaged in last year's flooding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has yet to deliver its final damage award estimate. And there are hopes for a joint facility venture between the city and Kirkwood.

Both directors say their agencies would be strengthened through cooperation.

“I certainly hope there will be opportunities for collaboration. That's the way I operate,” Webber said.

Melton said finding avenues for cooperation would be “ideal.”

“I can see that we cross paths so many times. If you're working well together, that is one positive outcome,” Melton said.

How that cooperation will manifest itself remains to be seen. It could be as simple as exchanging information or collaborating on training and education efforts. Webber said the concept of shared facilities shouldn't be taken off the table.

In these days of tight budgets and scarce resources, finding ways to bear burdens together could help both organizations and also produce more cost-efficient operations.

Webber's extensive track record with the Humane Society should help build that relationship.

The most aggressive example of city-non-profit partnership can be found in Des Moines, where the cash-strapped city turned over its animal control functions to the local Animal Rescue League.

No one is suggesting a full merger here, but clearly, cooperation is possible. Taxpaying humans and the care of animals all could benefit.