Local rescues offer to take over Taos County animal shelter after Stray Hearts pauses operations

At a Taos County Board of Commissioners meeting, Penny Herrera Wardlow, representing 4 Corners Animal League, told commissioners she and other local advocates are preparing a proposal to take over management of the county’s animal-shelter functions after the Stray Hearts shelter faced recent operational challenges and “will be closing temporarily.”

Herrera Wardlow said 4 Corners Animal League is a long-established local rescue. “4 Corners Animal League is stable financially responsible local nonprofit organization that has been devoted to animal welfare and Taos County for the last 26 years,” she said. She told commissioners the group has transferred “over 7,000 puppies and dogs” and, prior to the opening of spay facilities, “paid for over 16,000 dogs and cats to be spayed or neutered.”

The group’s public comments outlined a proposed approach the speakers described as a “clean break from the past,” including a new name, new board, new management, new funding sources and new programs. Herrera Wardlow said the group had “secured a transfer partner for adoptable cats and kittens,” and supporters added details for transfers: Barbara Agnello said a Denver partner with a “cat cafe model” would take about “30 cats a month,” and that a transfer pipeline for adoptable cats exists.

Speakers urged the board to accept proposals quickly because the shelter closure makes the situation time-sensitive. Barbara Agnello and Shelly Radagon both urged county cooperation; Radagon said she and others will submit documentation and a formal plan for the county to review. No formal county action or vote on the shelter management proposals occurred during the meeting.

Why it matters: Commissioners heard that stray animals are a public-health and safety concern and that local rescue groups have existing transfer relationships and operational experience they say could plug gaps while a new shelter structure and governance are established. Supporters asked the county to accept written proposals and to move quickly while the existing shelter is temporarily closed.

County response and next steps: County staff invited speakers to submit documentation for review. Commissioners did not make or vote on a directive during the public-comment period; the record shows only that residents offered proposals and that staff accepted the offer to receive materials.

Community context: Advocates emphasized decades of local rescue work, ongoing spay/neuter efforts and transfer partnerships that would form the basis of proposed operations. No county funding, contract, memorandum of understanding or timeline for a county decision was presented or approved at the meeting. Ending: Residents said they will submit written proposals and supporting documents to county staff for follow-up.