“Simmering animosity” would be one way to summarize the feelings on both sides of the ongoing debate over the continued operation of No Time To Spare Animal Rescue near Pendleton.

Shelter volunteers and nearby neighbors delivered competing testimony to the Warren County Commission in a Monday, Aug. 29 appeal hearing, in which neighbors contested a recent permit approval for the dog shelter. The neighbors’ appeal seeks to restrict or overturn a vote of approval from the county’s planning and zoning board in July.

Both sides in the hearing sought to portray themselves in a sympathetic light as more than 15 people took turns speaking. During several comments, that also involved portraying the other side as rude, unreasonable nuisances.

The hearing started off favorably for No Time To Spare, with county Planning and Zoning Administrator Bill Roemer giving the shelter a positive recommendation. Roemer said the shelter has quickly met all the requirements that were given as conditions for its approval in July, and has recently helped rescue dozens of dogs from two hoarding situations.

“It is evident with recent rescues performed by No Time To Spare Animal Rescue that such a nonprofit business is vital for not only the safety of animals, but also the safety of the general public,” Roemer said. “I have personally visited No Time To Spare’s facility. The cleanliness of the kennels and the passion of the mostly volunteer staff was evident.”

That recommendation alone is a marked improvement for No Time To Spare’s position, after years of being in bad standing with the county for operating without a conditional use permit (CUP).

The July approval for said CUP is what nearby neighbors are hoping to overturn. Speaking to the County Commission on Monday evening, nearby resident Raffael Caleca said noise from dozens of barking dogs is a frequent disturbance, day and night.

“We try to sit out in the mornings ... and enjoy a cup of coffee. Between the smell and the dogs barking — it’s relentless,” Caleca stated.

He noted that one of the goals of the county’s CUP process is to protect surrounding neighbors’ enjoyment of their own properties. To meet that objective, the commission ought to reject the permit, or else require that all kennels be set back 200 feet from the property line and have substantial noise barriers, Caleca said.

Several other neighbors, who have lived in the area for decades, also expressed concerns about disturbances from the shelter. Ken Randolph, who owns land on three sides of the animal shelter, speculated that if he ever decides to sell his land for housing development, the shelter’s presence would hurt the value of those homes.

Volunteers for No Time To Spare, on the other hand, told the commission that neighbors’ complaints have never been reasonable, considering the area they live in.

“Those saying that the noise is unbearable are the same people running agricultural equipment, screaming and yelling at one another outside, revving engines, having (hunters) shoot firearms,” commented Kayla Shailer, a volunteer dog trainer and co-owner of Modern K-9 Solutions. “All is equally noise polluting. ... These activities conducted by those presenting the appeal clearly display that noise is not the root of their concern, or they would be making less themselves."

Other volunteers stressed the work No Time To Spare has done to meet the unmet need for an animal shelter in Warren County, which frequently includes cooperation with the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, access to veterinary service for stray animals, and rehabilitation for dogs with behavioral issues.

“We’ve made every effort to work with the county. We continue to want to develop good relationships with the people of our community,” said volunteer Sierra Vohsen.

After more than two hours of testimony from both sides, the county commissioners closed the hearing and said they will issue a ruling on a future date. With the amount of testimony to consider, Presiding Commissioner Joe Gildehaus said he wasn’t yet sure when the commission would be ready to take a vote.