Update! I will be closing this petition and marking it a success as Fort Smith has agreed to start contract negotiations with Kitties and Kanines to open a No Kill shelter! Thank you all for the support!

PLEASE DO NOT DONATE ON THIS WEBSITE AFTER SIGNING. MONEY DONATED ON CHANGE.ORG GOES ONLY TO ADVERTISE THE PETITION. PLEASE DONATE DIRECTLY TO HOPE. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS HOW, CALL HOPE AT 479-783-4395.

HOPE Humane Society has until now received $300k per year from the City of Fort Smith to take in the animals that Animal Control brings them. HOPE has asked for $650k per year going forward, with the reason being that the prior amount was covering just 20% of their daily operations, despite the fact that about 80% of their animals come from Animal Control.

The Fort Smith Board of Directors has opted to remove its contract with HOPE Humane Society, the current city impoundment facility for animals. This decision will end funding to the shelter and will cause the doors at HOPE to close July 17. This is purely a financial decision and the animals of Fort Smith will be the ones to suffer. As of right now, the city says they will take care of the animals themselves as a city run pound, sans adoptions, a fostering program, or transports -- all efforts that HOPE takes to save the lives of animals. When city leadership spoke about opening their own shelter, Ward 1 Director Keith Lau said he "doesn't see any way around" euthanizing animals. Fort Smith City Administrator Carl Geffken suggested the directors could require a five or ten day hold before euthanizing an animal. He said, "It may not lead to such a large population." Most likely referring to our overpopulation of animals here in Fort Smith. We can prevent that with spay and neuter laws, licensing, and ordinances. We've seen these measures have success in other cities. If HOPE closes and the city takes over, animals will needlessly be put to death. They will die, for no reason. They will no longer be afforded the chances given to them by the hardworking staff and volunteers of HOPE. HOPE has a no-kill philosophy but the city will not. We have to take action. Please sign and let's send a message to the Fort Smith Board of Directors to renew the contract with HOPE Humane Society NOW!

PLEASE DO NOT DONATE ON THIS WEBSITE AFTER SIGNING. MONEY DONATED ON CHANGE.ORG GOES ONLY TO ADVERTISE THE PETITION. PLEASE DONATE DIRECTLY TO HOPE. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS HOW, CALL HOPE AT 479-783-4395.