Animal‑welfare advisory committee seeks fee increases and plans memorial fundraiser

A co‑chair of the county Animal Welfare Advisory Committee told the Executive Committee Sept. 17 the committee is requesting fee increases for animal control to address rising costs and described a memorial‑photo fundraiser to support the Liberty Lodge and animal control operations. The speaker said animal‑control costs have risen recently: "dog food went up from $28 a bag to $32 a bag. The 1 vaccine, a vial vaccine went from $3 to $9" and medical expenses have increased from about $11,000 to $24,000 through July, the speaker said. The speaker asked county finance committee members to approve fee adjustments at the finance meeting and asked the full board to support those increases when they come forward. The committee co‑chair also said the advisory group received permission to host a memorial wall fundraiser in the east corridor of the building where community members can pay to hang framed photos of pets; proceeds would benefit animal control and Liberty Lodge. The speaker invited board members to participate and encouraged donations and frames to be submitted before the October/November event window. The administrative reappointments for several animal‑welfare advisory members, including Tinker Parker (absent due to an injury) and Carol Weber, were included in a combined vote later in the meeting and were approved by voice vote.