How NOT to file an open records request

In a blog posted on No Kill Revolution "No Kill Columbus (GA)" accuses the county of violating the "Open Records Act" by not complying with an open records request seeking information on Columbus County's Animal Shelter. Here's the link to that request:

The request filed by No Kill Columbus should serve as an example of how NOT to file an open records request that basically asks the county to provide "everything you know plus what you don't know" in that request. Since the law also allows the county to charge for the time and copy expenses of answering an open ended request like that it only surprises me that the county didn't respond with a quote for researching all of the information requested.

A much more practical and useful approach at obtaining open records is to be specific about the information you are seeking and limit each O.R.R. to specific information on each issue rather than such a "catch all" approach.

Lastly, creating an adversarial relationship with the county leaders that you will need to have support you in your reform efforts is a sure way not to have any of your concerns listened too. You might very well win the battle of showing up the other side but in the process you will also lose a much larger war in which only the animals suffer. The "no killers" simply don't get that.

Here are two examples of open records request that are effective in obtaining information from your shelter.

If seeking an individual pet's info

Open Records Request Form
December 26, 2011
Monica, Lt Respess,
Pursuant to Georgia Open Records Law (O.C.G.A 50-18-70) you are hereby requested to make available for review or copying all files, records, and other documents, notes, correspondence that refer, reflect or relate to:

Animal ID # is 20741
I am a FEMALE, PEN 129 - LABRADOR
The shelter thinks I am YOUNG
I will be available for adoption starting on 12/03/2011
FOUND STRAY ; LARGE ; FRIENDLY
This request includes all intake notes, all documents, correspondence and memoranda used in determine final disposition.

If this request is denied in whole or part, you are required by O.C.G.A. 50-18-72(h) to cite in writing the specific statutory exemption upon which you relied, as required by law. Please waive all costs associated with this request, or first inform of such costs as required by law.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

It is also a simple process to get monthly shelter numbers by simply storing a standard templete requesting that info and updating the dates as  needed.  Here's an example you can copy to obtain those numbers.

Open Records Request Form

January 3, 2012

Monica, Lt Respess,

Pursuant to Georgia Open Records Law (O.C.G.A 50-18-70) you are hereby requested to make available for review or copying all files, records, and other documents, notes, correspondence that refer, reflect or relate to:

End of month shelter (numbers) for months January 2011 through the month end December 2011.

Please provide the following:

Intake canines strays picked up
Intake felines strays picked up

Intake canine owner surrenders
Intake feline owner surrenders

Canines Euthanized
Felines Euthanized

Canines Handled
Felines Handled

Animals adopted
Animals rescued

Canines returned in the field
Felines returned in the field

Canines reclaimed from shelter
Felines reclaimed from shelter

Please mail report to

An open records request can provide insight into shelter issues.  Keep it simple and respectful and you will be provided that information.  Open Records Request are obviously not fruitful when asking for information that does not exist.  Asking policy questions from clerical personnel is not an effective way to recieve that information either.