Lafayette renews sheltering contract with Humane Society for Greater Lafayette at $35,000 a month

The Lafayette Board of Works approved a one-year renewal of the city’s animal sheltering agreement with the Humane Society for Greater Lafayette covering calendar year 2025 at $35,000 per month.

“We have an agreement to renew our animal sheltering services with the Humane Society for Greater Lafayette for the calendar year 2025,” the city’s legal counsel said. “It is a slight increase in the monthly sheltering fee at $35,000 a month.” The previous monthly rate presented during the discussion was $32,732.

Board members questioned which euthanasia decisions would be made by the shelter independently and which would be performed only at city direction. Legal counsel clarified that euthanasia services identified in the agreement apply to animals impounded by the city and those “deemed dangerous” or suffering from infectious disease that are not eligible for return, and that in those situations the city directs the shelter’s actions. “So then that becomes, that that's at our direction,” legal counsel said. The board’s motion to approve the one-year agreement was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

The agreement covers the city’s sheltering needs for 2025 and replaces an agreement that expired Dec. 31, 2024. The contract term and the increase in the monthly fee were presented as reasons for the renewal; no further changes to service scope were described in the meeting.

The board did not identify additional funding sources during the discussion; implementing the increase will be handled through the city’s regular budget and accounts payable processes.