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Daytona Beach to arrange interim animal-intake plan after Halifax Humane changes; per-animal costs rising
Summary
City officials said the contract with Halifax Humane Society will end in September; the city will seek a temporary contract and work with county and neighboring cities to create a longer-term solution after shelter fees rose to about $300 per animal.
Daytona Beach — City staff told the commission on Sept. 3 that the city's contract with Halifax Humane Society ends this month and the department is preparing temporary arrangements to receive animals while longer-term solutions are explored.
City staff said Halifax Humane is changing how it accepts animals and that the cost to the city for animal intake has increased from roughly $100-$150 per animal to about $300 per animal. The city manager said staff are pursuing a temporary contract with another entity and are coordinating with Volusia County and neighboring cities to explore a regional approach or an in-house facility. He said the city hopes to have an interim process in place by the end of the month but noted a long-term plan will require broader coordination.
Why it matters: Animal-welfare contracts affect municipal public-safety operations, budgets and where animals are housed and cared for after pickup. A significant per-animal cost increase could affect the city's operating costs and budget planning for sheltering and animal control services.
Next steps: City staff will bring a temporary contract to the commission for approval and continue discussions with county partners and other municipalities about a shared solution. The commission was told staff expect to present interim arrangements in the coming weeks.
