Hampton Magazine • Information Please 2014 • Page 23 A heart for animals


Sean Gruber Staff Writer


For Hampton County Code Enforcement Officer Tim Latham,


directing the local animal shelter isn’t just a job. For him, it’s a moral responsibility. No matter if he’s collecting stray animals, running adoptions


or working with one of his seven active volunteers, he feels the ethical weight of each duty. And that goes double when there is an animal’s life on the line. Latham and his staff have been known to take animals into their own homes until they can find a permant “forever home.” “Every time I leave here, I can feel good about what I did that


day,” Latham said. That caring philosophy and openness is the new direction


Latham and his volunteer workers plan to bring to Hampton Coun- ty’s animal shelter. Since Latham was appointed to run the shelter by County Administrator Sabrena Graham on Sept. 3, 2013, Latham and his fulltime assistant Mandy Strickland have taken steps to reduce euthanizations, generate community involvement and bring a level of transparency to shelter operations. And while both Latham and Strickland are quick to say they


are just now beginning to create a system that will meet their goals, changes have already started to come to the fore. The animal shelter now issues monthly reports during county


council meetings, publicizing the amounts of collected, adopted, euthanized and fostered animals. They have also succeeded in dropping the amounts of animals euthanized at the shelter, using both adoptions and animal rescue groups to lessen their animal


population. “We also don’t euthanize healthy animals unless absolutely


necessary,” Latham added. Shelter volunteers are also using social media to reach out to


potential adoptees, foster and volunteers. Sites like Facebook and Craigslist are helping the animal shelter reach out to the public. Those interested in volunteering, fostering or adopting ani-


mals from the shelter can visit during Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.


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