By Emma Maple

Clallam County commissioners passed a resolution to reestablish the Animal Issues Advisory Committee and rename it the Animal Solutions Advisory Committee.

The committee is being reimplemented after the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society announced the closure of its Bark House, which was where many county law enforcement officers had taken stray, abandoned and dangerous dogs.

The committee will meet quarterly to begin with, and more often if they determine a need.

The committee will have the following representation: one member from each – Clallam County Sheriff’s Office; from the cities of Sequim, Port Angeles and Forks; from Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Makah Tribe and Quileute tribe; from Olympic Peninsula Humane Society, WAG, FOFA; a county-based equine rescue organization; an animal rescue organization that works with animals other than dogs, cats and horses; two members-at-large; Clallam County, Port Angeles and Sequim animal control officers; a veterinarian; and a non-voting Clallam County Commissioner.

Ozias said that previous versions of this committee had worked on county draft ordinances which could be conversation “starting fodder” for the new committee.

The county began formal recruitment on Tuesday. There are volunteer openings for the following representative positions: one veterinarian; one county equine rescue organization; one animal rescue organization for animals other than dogs, cats and horses; and two at-large members.

Interested citizens can contact the county commissioners’ office at 360-417-2233, visit the office or email rachel.weed@clallamcountywa.gov.

Applications must be received by the end of business day Aug. 19.

The commissioners’ next step will be to appoint all the committee members.