Osage Beach agrees to fund Dogwood Animal Shelter to take city strays, board approves $10,000 annual agreement

The Board of Aldermen on Aug. 21 approved an agreement to pay Dogwood Animal Shelter Inc. $10,000 per year to accept animals the city cannot reunite with owners within a five‑day holding period. Mayor Harmonson and public works and police staff described several recent stray‑animal cases and said the city lacks the licensing and capacity to shelter animals for extended periods. Why it matters: City officials said the agreement reduces legal risk from housing animals beyond the five‑day window and connects the city to a nonprofit that provides veterinary care, microchipping, spay/neuter services and adoption placements. Tina, representing Dogwood Animal Shelter, told the board the nonprofit is already operating near capacity and that the real cost per animal commonly exceeds what the shelter recovers in adoption fees. "A typical animal, between — we spend out well over $300 on that," she said, describing medical, microchip and spay/neuter costs. She said the shelter currently had about 140 animals and that the additional funding would help with capacity and staffing to accept city animals when needed. Chief Davis said the city had taken about 24 dogs into custody in 2024 and 15 so far in 2025; four of the 2025 animals were transferred to Dogwood with city payment. Mayor Harmonson said the $10,000 annual figure averages roughly 33 animals per year at typical shelter costs and that Dogwood has an approximately 80% adoption rate for dogs. How the decision was reached: Alderman Rose moved approval and the motion was seconded and adopted by a voice vote. The board recorded no oppositions. What’s next: Under the plan discussed, the city will continue to hold animals for the initial five‑day holding period; on the sixth day, animals eligible for transfer will be transported to Dogwood for intake and care under the contract.