During a recent government meeting, local high school students passionately advocated for increased support for the Kentucky River Regional Animal Shelter, highlighting the urgent need for funding and community involvement. Kaylee Barrett, a volunteer at the shelter, introduced the initiative, emphasizing her goal of finding homes for every animal. She, along with her peers from Hazard High School, formed a club named \"Purrs and Paws\" to promote the shelter and engage the community.

Allison Williams, another student, addressed the critical issue of funding, explaining that the shelter often operates on a tight budget, which limits their ability to provide necessary medical care for animals in distress. She noted that while adoption fees cover basic vaccinations and spaying or neutering, they do not account for additional medical expenses, which can be substantial.

Kennedy Stacy shared that the shelter takes in approximately 5,000 to 6,000 animals annually, often reaching capacity. She stressed the need for more volunteers to help with daily care, as the current staff struggles to manage the high intake of animals. The students collectively urged the community to visit the shelter, volunteer, and consider adopting pets.

The meeting also included discussions on the shelter's transformation over the years, with Josie Combs highlighting a significant reduction in euthanasia rates from 90% to under 10% since 2010. The students encouraged the community to witness the shelter's progress firsthand and to support its mission.

In response to the students' heartfelt presentations, local officials acknowledged the importance of community involvement in improving the shelter's conditions. They expressed willingness to explore funding options and collaborate with the shelter's board to enhance its operations.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue discussions on how to better support the animal shelter, reflecting a growing recognition of the need for community engagement in addressing local animal welfare issues.