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Newton County approves MOU with Humane Society of Northeast Georgia to fund shelter programs
Summary
The board authorized a memorandum of understanding allowing Humane Society of Northeast Georgia (doing business as Better Together Georgia) to administer up to $96,000 in grant funds to support Newton County Animal Services’ intake diversion, spay/neuter and other shelter outcome programs at no cost to the county.
The Newton County Board of Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding on April 1 that allows the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia (doing business as Better Together Georgia) to support Newton County Animal Services using grant funds.
Maynard, speaking for Animal Services, said the nonprofit brought a grant of approximately $96,000 that would be used for programs to improve outcomes for dogs and cats — including intake diversion, increased spay/neuter capacity, shorter shelter length of stay and staff training. Maynard said there would be no cost to Newton County and that the Humane Society would conduct the grant reporting.
Commissioner Henderson asked whether the agreement would change animal pickup procedures; Animal Services staff said the shelter provides traps to the public and that the MOU includes provisions for trap-neuter-release and community cat programs and could fund additional traps where part of a live‑release program.
A motion to approve the MOU passed. The agreement requires no county matching funds and the partner nonprofit will administer and report on the grant. Animal Services will continue to sign traps out to the public and to coordinate intake and spay/neuter elements under the terms of the MOU.
The board’s action was presented as a consent-item level approval; staff said the nonprofit will handle grant administration and reporting.
