The Oxford Board of Aldermen is preparing for the City to enter the transition process for the animal shelter building, as the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society vacates Sept. 30 and a new tenant moves in.

During a Thursday recessed meeting, the aldermen held a first reading of an amendment to the current animal control ordinance and also appointed a selection committee to review proposals, which are due Sept. 20.

“I think that we need to have something in there where you can’t just drop off animals,” Alderman Janice Antonow said.

Antonow proposed the amendment to section 18-46 of the animal control ordinance, with regards to dropping off of animals. The proposed language clarifies that any animal seized in accordance with the article may be impounded in the city animal shelter.

The language also states it shall be unlawful for any person, except for law enforcement or animal control officers, to drop off any animal at the shelter or on the shelter grounds when the shelter is not open to receive animals. It also forbids animals from being left unattended in the city dog park.

The Board of Aldermen will hold a second reading, public hearing and vote on the proposed ordinance during the Oct. 2 meeting at 5 p.m.

Concerning the selection committee to appoint a new animal shelter tenant, Antonow said she desired to have representatives who would be informed about the situation and represent the people of the LOU community.

The eight-person committee will consist of Lafayette County Supervisor David Rikard, Mark Levy, Buildings and Grounds Superintendent Greg Pinion, Aldermen Preston Taylor and Antonow, two citizens and one veterinarian.

“I think that covers, from the City perspective, the people who have done the actual proposal request,” Mayor Robyn Tannehill said.

The Oxford Board of Aldermen will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 5 p.m. in City Hall.