Animal Shelter Gets Alarm System

Animals at the Josephine County Animal Shelter can sleep easy tonight behind a new security system. The increased protection comes after a series of break-ins at the shelter.

It's been a troubling year for shelter volunteers as one break-in after another has shown the need for tighter security. The fortress-like security system comes after eight break-ins and the brutal deaths of four puppies.

"Unfortunately, it's very important that we have it because the animals need to be protected. It's too bad but, you know, they need the protection. The county can't afford to do it on their own, so they need all the help they can get," says volunteer Janet Goodbrod.

Last week a local company surrounded the shelter with razor wire preventing would-be thieves from going over the walls. This week another local company is making sure no one else tries to come through the fences.

"It's going to have keypads, siren, motion sensors and door contacts to protect the perimeter and interior of the shelter," says Xavier Quintero, owner of Detect All Security

Shelter workers are confident now those outside will be kept on the outside and those inside will stay safe where they belong. For those who give their time caring for these animals that comes as a relief.

"Every night that I do go home, especially on the weekends, I always have that thought on the back of my head that I'm going to come to work the next day and there's going to be something broke into again at the shelter," says Brad Tally, shelter supervisor.

The security company donated five years of free security monitoring to the shelter. The fencing company that put up the razor wire also donated much of their time and products.

The community raised about $1,500 to pay to install the system. The county is also chipping in about $17,000 to help with the upgrades.