Washington County, UT, has a desperate need for a county animal shelter. Those living in the outlying areas not being served at this moment by a shelter have no resources to help them with an animal in need. These areas include, but are not limited to, Toquerville, Virgin, Rockville, Springdale, Veyo, Pine Valley, etc. By signing this petition you are encouraging the County Commissioners to consider the idea of a shelter to serve the rural needs.... Please, only those in the rural areas not being served by an animal shelter at the present need to sign.

"We, the undersigned, are in support of a Washington County Animal Shelter to be built near the Washington County Jail (Purgatory). The animal shelter could be utilized by all of the small communities around Washington County who do not have facilities to take care of stray or unwanted animals. We also feel that it would benefit Washington County to be proactive in the pursuit to have cats and dogs spayed or neutered.

"We feel that the Washington County Jail could also benefit from having the Animal Shelter close by. The prisoners could do the daily chores of the animals from feeding to cleaning out the cages and kennels. Prisoners could, in time, be allowed to rehabilitate and socialize those shelter animals in need. The prisoners could train the animals and get them ready to be adoptable to the public with little or no expense coming from the County. This would be a win-win situation for the animals (who at this point are also prisoners) and the inmates of the Jail.

"We understand that Washington County does not at the present time have any animal shelters, just city and town run facilities or privately funded. We hope that all Citizens will enjoy the benefits of a more united community and we are asking our elected leaders to help make this a reality.

"By signing, we give our permission to have our support made public via television or newspaper coverage."