Rowan County will have a public forum today to discuss a wide range of issues at the animal shelter.

The forum will be at 6 p.m. on the second floor of the Rowan County Administration Building. The forum will be in the County Commissioners meeting room. County Manager Aaron Church says that at the forum, he and Animal Services Director Bob Pendergrass will be “listening to citizen concerns and answering questions.”

“We’re just looking for the community’s feedback or input,” Church said.

Originally, the public forum was scheduled to include a talk by Dr. Kelli Ferris, who works at N.C. State University’s veterinary school. Church said Ferry was unable to attend because of a scheduling conflict.

Since the public forum was first announced in March, a number of significant changes have occurred at the shelter. Most notably, Church has completely restructured shelter administration.

Now, former shelter director Clai Martin only oversees enforcement — animal cruelty investigations, enforcing ordinances, going to court, answering complaints and any other duties assigned by the Animal Services director. It’s classified as a lateral move.

Pendergrass, who previously was the Dan Nicholas Nature Center Supervisor, has been promoted to oversee a new Animal Services Department. In the role, he oversees the shelter, Dan Nicholas Nature Center, veterinarian services, enforcement and contracts.

Church’s changes also include making the shelter director position one that will be filled by a veterinarian.

The animal shelter has yet to implement some changes proposed during a series of citizen task force meetings last year. A volunteer program is the most notable change that has not been implemented.

A January letter from the Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Division also suggest several other changes, including adopting written standards for foster care groups and rescue organizations.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.