Fayette County to run shelter after Humane Society ends contract; hires, surrenders pause and adoption fees approved

FAYETTE COUNTY — The Fayette County Commission agreed at a public meeting to assume day-to-day operation of the county animal shelter after the Fayette County Humane Society informed the commission it would no longer operate under the contract. Commissioners authorized hiring kennel technicians, paused owner surrenders and approved a new adoption-fee schedule to fund care for impounded animals.

The commission said it must act because state law requires counties with animal control officers to provide an animal shelter. A county official said the county "will undertake its statutory obligation to operate" the shelter until a new operator is found.

Why it matters: The changes take immediate effect while animals remain at the facility. County operation means employees overseeing shelter functions will be county employees with county benefits, commissioners said, and the county plans to fund immediate operating needs so animals receive veterinary care, food and transport.

The commission voted to authorize the county administrator to hire kennel technicians and other animal welfare staff to staff the facility. The board also voted to pause owner surrenders while capacity is near or over double what staff described at the meeting, and to approve the following adoption fees for impounded animals: $175 for dogs, $200 for puppies, $110 for kittens and $95 for adult cats. The fees were described by commissioners as inclusive of spay/neuter, vaccinations, a heartworm test for dogs, dewormer and a microchip; the shelter operator will be required to provide proof that required procedures were completed.

Commissioners also approved contracting authority for necessary supplies, food and software to support the shelter as it transitions to county operation. Commissioners said the county had previously provided building maintenance, two vans, and salary reimbursement; one county official said this year the county budget included $215,000 toward shelter payroll and that the county had provided approximately $75,000 in startup funds when the current humane society began operations.

At the meeting commissioners said they had not received formal written notice from the humane society about ending the contract until social media posts made the situation public. The commission said it has authorized an audit and is working to secure an auditor; commissioners said the Humane Society contract allows auditing.

What commissioners decided (official actions): the commission moved and seconded motions to (1) authorize the county administrator to post and hire kennel technician positions and animal welfare officers, (2) authorize staff to enter contracts for food, veterinary services and software, (3) pause owner surrenders while capacity is constrained, and (4) adopt the new adoption-fee schedule. Each motion received an affirmative vote and was carried. The motions did not include detailed roll-call tallies in the public record at the meeting.

Next steps and timeline: Commissioners said county staff will continue preparing the shelter for county operation and asked for civility from the public during the transition. The Humane Society board asked for until Oct. 18 to remove property; commissioners indicated they would work with the society on equipment and access but also said the county must ensure animals are safe during the handover.

The meeting included sustained public comment and testimony from shelter staff urging continued lifesaving care. Commissioners repeatedly emphasized their stated priority: ensuring animals are cared for while the county establishes operations.

Ending note: County leaders said more work remains on funding, staffing and a long-term facility plan; they encouraged volunteers and nonprofit partners to form a donations-and-fundraising entity to support operations that government rules limit from accepting directly.