The following articles appeared in the April 2025 print edition of Open Line.

Prevent, Protect & Adopt: Auburn's approach to animal welfare

In cartoons, animal control officers are often cast as grumpy, heavy-handed villains whose sole mission is to snatch up your beloved pets — usually with an oversized net and an exaggerated scowl. Our Animal Control officers (ACOs) are less about dramatic pet heists and more about keeping tails wagging!

The Role of Animal Control

ACOs play a critical role in the community, responding to stray, nuisance and welfare calls. However, their mission extends beyond writing citations. Their top priority is keeping pets safe in their homes through community education and reunification efforts.

As Auburn grows, so does the number of stray pets. From teacup poodles to 300-pound pigs and even larger livestock, ACOs work tirelessly to return lost animals to their homes. If an owner cannot be located, the pet is transferred to CARE Humane Society, a private nonprofit organization, for housing and potential adoption, if unclaimed.

Auburn’s pets are well “care-d” for

For over 50 years, CARE Humane Society (CARE) has provided a lifeline for Auburn’s homeless and surrendered pets.

“Since 2017, we are proud to report at least 90% or higher of all pets have found their way into loving homes through reunification, adoption, transfer to rescues and the dedication of our staff,” CARE Executive Director TJ McCullough said. “We are an open-admissions shelter, meaning we accept all stray and surrendered pets from within the jurisdictional boundaries set by our city contracts.”

All stray pets picked up by Animal Control in Auburn or Opelika city limits are delivered to CARE at 1140 Ware Drive, where they are held for seven days. This “stray hold” gives owners a full week to reclaim their lost pet. On day eight, the pet is assessed as a candidate for adoption or transfer to rescue organizations.

The power of community engagement & education

Both CARE and Auburn Animal Control share the same goal: preventing pet homelessness and abandonment. Public education is key to preventing these pet-related issues.

“Many pet owners do not want to give up their pets but feel they have no other choice due to financial hardships,” Auburn Animal Control Division Manager Krista Weldon said. “Our community is blessed to have CARE with resource programs available to any resident in Lee County, not just Auburn.”

CARE offers resource programs, partially funded by city tax dollars, which are available to all Lee County residents. ACOs connect residents with CARE if they see there is a need with pet food assistance, low-cost or free spay/neuter vouchers, kennels, veterinary care assistance and other pet supplies.

Residents are urged to take advantage of CARE’s affordable spay-neuter programs to help reduce the number of homeless pets in our community. Unplanned puppy and kitten litters are one of the biggest causes of pet overpopulation. Funding these assistance programs not only supports families and keeps pets in loving homes, but it also eases the strain on City resources and the number of animals surrendered to the shelter. It’s a win-win for pets, their owners and the community.

City of Auburn and CARE both host outreach programs and public events throughout the year, such as Bark in the Park, to educate residents about basic pet care, responsible pet ownership, safe pet handling and the importance of spaying and neutering your pet. Don’t forget, Auburn Animal Control is always available by phone calls at 334-501-3090 for any pet-related questions.

Caring for animals is costly

On average, shelter stays last 98 days for dogs and 32 days for cats, with costs totaling $3,038 per dog and $992 per cat. Adoption fees cover only a fraction of these expenses, making community support and donations essential to sustain shelter operations.

For FY24-25, Auburn contributed $31 per pet per day of each stray pet’s stay at CARE, totaling $225,472.91. To give unclaimed animals a chance to be adopted, CARE raises an additional $920,000 (approximately 71% of its current operating budget) through fundraising efforts and community contributions.

While pets wait for their forever homes, CARE staff and volunteers do their best to ensure all pets receive the highest level of care. Rain or shine, adult dogs enjoy enrichment time outdoors to play as a group. Socialization, training and behavioral support are also prioritized to improve adoptability and ease the transition into a new home.

How you can help

Reporting concerns properly helps ACOs proceed with issuing a citation or facilitating the pet’s removal, when necessary. While social media is useful for spreading awareness, it is never an official reporting tool. If you suspect pet neglect or abuse, report it directly to Auburn Animal Control at 334-501-3090 or the Auburn FixIt App (auburnalabama.org/fixit) to ensure action may be taken.

Joining CARE’s foster program to offer pets a temporary home keeps them healthy and happy while freeing up valuable kennel space for other pets in need. Donations fuel CARE’s mission to provide top notch care, exciting programs and special promotions, including discounted adoptions, its popular youth summer camp, educational seminars and more.

Together, Auburn residents, Auburn Animal Control and CARE Humane Society can ensure every pet gets the care and protection they deserve. For more information on CARE and its programs, visit carehumane.org. For more information about City of Auburn Animal Control, visit auburnalabama.org.

New training center for police & fire complete

Construction of the new Public Safety Training Center at the intersection of North College Street and U.S. Highway 280 is complete! Revitalizing the site of a former rest area, the center provides local and regional first responders a place to safely train and prepare for responding to all kinds of emergencies.

The site includes:

• A 12,000-square-foot multiuse classroom building with space for fire recruit training, in-house continuing education and regional training offerings.
• A three-level burn building with open and enclosed areas and stairwells for live fire training.
• A search and rescue maze simulator for training in confined spaces.
• A six-level drill tower for multi-level structure emergencies training.

Along with providing invaluable opportunities for our first responders to hone their skills, the center will also serve as a new voting location for Ward 3.

A reminder about Auburn's leash law

Did you know Auburn has a leash law? City Code states that dog owners should keep their dogs “under restraint at all times” for the safety of both the dog and our community.

What does “under restraint” mean? A dog is considered under restraint when:

1. The dog is confined in a building, fenced pen or fenced yard on its owner's property or on the property of another person with their consent.
2. The dog is leashed.
3. The dog is tethered — in accordance with section 4-17 — on its owner's property or on the property of another person with the other person's permission. The dog must be tethered so that it cannot access public property or other private property.
4. The dog, though not meeting any of the conditions above, is in a peaceful attitude on the property of its owner and is wearing rabies vaccination tags.

We have designated a few dog parks in Auburn where well-behaved pups are allowed to be off leash, including Kiesel Park, Town Creek Park and Dinius Park.

Dogs may ONLY be off leash if they are “under immediate and effective voice control” of their owners. Dogs who aren’t voice trained should be kept leashed for everyone’s safety.

More details can be found at auburnalabama.org/environmental-services/animal-control. You can also review what the City Code says about the restraint and tethering of dogs at auburnalabama.org/city-code in Sections 4-16 and 4-17.

Auburn Public Library launches new board game circulation program

Have you heard? You can check out board games at the Auburn Public Library!

Auburn residents can now borrow one board game per library card with a two-week borrowing period. The library’s collection includes a variety of popular games suitable for different age groups and interests, from classics like Monopoly and Scrabble to strategy-based games and family favorites. The collection will continue to grow as the program develops.

Games can be checked out in person at the Auburn Public Library, 749 E Thach Avenue. For more information, email weblibrary@auburnalabama.org or call the library at 334-501-3190.

Auburn ranked No. 10 in Best-Performing Small Cities report

Auburn ranked No. 10 on the Milken Institute's list of the 2025 Best-Performing Small Cities, which tracked the relative performance of 403 metropolitan areas across the U.S. Auburn was the highest-ranked small Alabama city on the list, which appeared in the institute's annual Best-Performing Cities report.

The annual report ranks metro areas based on 13 metrics that combine labor market conditions, high-tech growth and access to economic opportunities.

Auburn gained four positions from its 2024 ranking. The report highlighted the area's "remarkable job growth that shows no signs of slowing." Employment grew 4.6% from 2022 to 2023, and job growth increased by 4% from July 2023 to July 2024. That was paired with an increase of wages, which grew 10.5% from 2022 to 2023.

Auburn also placed in the top quartile for high-tech GDP growth measures. This was driven by growth in the data-processing sector and the telecommunications industry.

"It's no secret that Auburn continues to be at the forefront of sustained economic growth here in Alabama," Auburn Mayor Ron Anders said. "As the home of both a preeminent university and a thriving, innovative and growing business community, Auburn's economic future continues to be bright. We're grateful for all those who play a part in making that happen and look forward to what's ahead."

For more about the institute’s methodology and other details, visit milkeninstitute.org/best-performing-cities.

Board and commission vacancies

Looking for an opportunity to serve?

Applications to serve on the Board of Education will be open Feb. 19-March 17, and appointments will be made at the April 15 Auburn City Council meeting. Applications to serve on the Historic Preservation Commission and the Auburn Public Library Board will be open March 5-24, and appointments will be made at the April 1 City Council meeting.

Find a link to apply and more information about each entity at auburnalabama.org/boards.

Spring into Fun with Auburn Parks and Recreation!

Spring has arrived! Start the season by exploring our Summer Brochure, available on April 1, to plan your upcoming activities.

April’s biggest celebration, the 24^th-annual Auburn CityFest, will take over Kiesel Park on Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Auburn’s largest outdoor festival is free to the public and will feature over 100 art exhibitors, children’s activities, live entertainment, delicious food and more! This year’s theme, Circus Incredible, promises jaw-dropping performances and family-friendly fun.

Leading up to CityFest, don’t miss the Auburn CityFest Juried Art Show & Preview Reception on April 24, where art lovers can get a first look at the stunning works on display.

Families with little ones can enjoy Breakfast with the Bunny on April 5 at the Lake Wilmore Community Center, a special Easter event for children ages 5 and under. The fun continues with the 45^th-annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 19 at Duck Samford Baseball Fields, where children can race to gather colorful eggs and win prizes. Registration for Easter events is available at auburnal.myrec.com.

In support of the Lee County Special Olympics, Cops on Top will take place on April 18 at area Kroger stores, where Auburn Public Safety officers and Special Olympians will be collecting donations throughout the day.

Mark your calendars and join us for a fantastic April full of fun, community spirit and unforgettable memories!