Old Orchard Beach has taken a good step toward a responsible policy on stray animals, deciding to terminate an arrangement with an out-of-town pound.

Residents who attempted to visit the facility in Lisbon recently were denied admission, heightening their suspicion that the impounded cats and dogs are not humanely confined. Whether or not this is true, we agree with those who advocate a better overall approach.

The Police Department has now terminated the town’s arrangement with the facility. It’s a good start, but Chief Dana Kelley told the Town Council last week that there are few other options for controlling the town’s stray  animal problem ”“ which can be expected to grow along with Old Orchard Beach’s summer population.

Arlene Dolgon and others who have made this a high-profile issue have argued that Old Orchard Beach needs a comprehensive arrangement with an animal shelter. As she points out, the present system in Old Orchard Beach provides no way for someone to surrender an animal they cannot care for.

A long-term arrangement where strays can receive medical care and a real chance for adoption is more humane than impoundment soon followed by euthanasia. It also provides more assurance that a valued pet won’t become a victim of the system.

Stray pets and feral animals are  a problem everywhere. They are one of the many public safety matters that fall to local governments to solve, inevitably imposing an annual cost.

These days it’s difficult to argue for more government spending, but a sound system of animal control is really in the best interest of all residents.