Nampa council approves short-term funding to keep West Valley Humane Society taking animals

Nampa city leaders approved short-term payments to West Valley Humane Society on July 21 to prevent an immediate interruption in animal shelter services as the city negotiates longer-term funding.

The council voted to authorize payments through Sept. 30 totaling $96,885.13 to cover shelter services while staff continue talks with the Humane Society and explore alternatives and budget options. The move followed a failed attempt to authorize a smaller, one-month extension and a robust exchange among council members about county contributions, fiscal responsibility and the operational challenges of establishing a local shelter.

Why it matters: Nampa’s animal control officers rely on an outside shelter to house injured, stray and seized animals. Without a contract the city said it would lack a place to take animals that require care and temporary custody, creating both operational and legal problems under local animal-control rules.

What the council did and why: After an initial motion to authorize a shorter, lower-dollar extension failed, the council approved funding through Sept. 30. Police leadership said the city has no ready alternative to shelter animals if the contract lapses immediately. “Operationally, 30 days is not a lot of time,” a city staff member said, describing calls this year and the lack of available kennel capacity in the region. He told the council that the department has already been taking animals to West Valley—roughly one per day this year—and that alternative kennels were either full or not set up to accept unknown animals.

Council members debated how much of the shelter cost should be borne by Nampa versus Canyon County, Caldwell and other partners. Councilman Bills argued the city should not absorb more than the amount already budgeted for fiscal year 2025 and expressed concern that Nampa was paying a disproportionate share. Other council members urged immediate action to avoid creating a public‑safety and animal‑welfare gap while longer-term funding arrangements are pursued.

What staff said: The police department said it has been transporting animals to West Valley Humane Society since the current contract expired and that the city averages more than one animal intake per day. The vacancy of usable kennel space in the valley and the complexity of establishing a temporary shelter—permits, zoning, staffing and veterinary controls—were cited as reasons the city needs time to pursue options.

Next steps: Council asked staff to continue negotiations, to prepare a revised contract or operational plan and to identify a funding source for the one‑time payment from the current fiscal-year contingency if necessary. Council also confirmed the city’s FY2026 budget will include a larger contribution (previously discussed at $483,000 for the coming year), and staff were directed to return with clearer, itemized accounting about who brought animals to the shelter and how costs might be allocated among jurisdictions.

Ending: The extension gives the city and West Valley Humane Society two months to negotiate a longer-term arrangement while avoiding a sudden loss of temporary housing for animals. The council emphasized it expects more detailed financial and program information before any further payments are approved.