Animal shelter closes intake temporarily as director urges interlocal cost‑sharing and consultant review
Summary
The county animal shelter halted routine owner surrenders because its facility reached capacity. Director Carrie Klegsky and council liaisons urged interlocal agreements with cities and a consultant study of shelter operations and intake protocols.
Johnson County animal shelter director Carrie Klegsky told the council the shelter had closed routine owner surrenders after a sustained influx of animals left the facility near capacity. Klegsky said recent daily intakes — including a single day with 22 cats — forced the temporary measure and raised concerns about staffing, medical costs and long‑term capacity.
Klegsky gave a breakdown of current intake origins and said that, as of the hearing, roughly 70–87% of animals in the shelter were from incorporated areas (cities and towns) rather than unincorporated county areas. Council liaison Michelle Graves and other council members said municipalities are using the shelter but contribute only limited fees to the shelter’s perpetual fund. Graves asked the county and shelter leadership to pursue interlocal agreements so municipalities share more of the operational burden. The council also discussed hiring an outside consultant to examine intake, medical cost protocols, and potential operational changes that could reduce strain on the shelter while increasing live outcomes.
Councilors agreed to hold the $100,000 part‑time request in abeyance and encouraged the director and commissioners to negotiate cooperative funding or seek a consultant proposal to identify a sustainable operational model. The shelter director said it will continue to track origin data and to keep the council informed about capacity and funding implications.
