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Shelton council weighs outsourcing, euthanasia policy after shelter costs rise
Summary
City Manager Mark and Community Economic Development staff told the Shelton City Council on June 10 that rising costs and constrained capacity at the municipal animal shelter have left the city weighing three options: change holding/euthanasia policy, outsource operations, or close the facility and shift enforcement duties.
City Manager Mark and Community Economic Development staff briefed the Shelton City Council on June 10 about budget pressures and service choices for the municipal animal shelter, including possible policy changes on holding periods and a potential outsourcing contract.
The briefing described the shelter as an integral part of the city’s law-enforcement and animal-control system, with operations that moved into Community Economic Development from the police department a few years ago. Jay Harris of Community Economic Development said the shelter’s operating model shifted after the COVID era, when outside partners that previously took intake animals stopped accepting as many dogs. Harris said the city’s shelter budget had been about $80,000 in an earlier period and has grown as the city assumed more of the work.
Harris told the council the shelter physically holds 12 kennels but is realistically able to care for “about 10” dogs…
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