Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Animal Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Joint Animal Services reports rising intake, shorter shelter stays and $1M state grant toward facility plan
Summary
Joint Animal Services presented annual operations metrics showing increased intakes (notably dogs), more adoptions, volunteer contributions and the agency's space-needs assessment; staff outlined a revised 20,000-square-foot facility concept with an estimated $33–41.5 million total cost and identified $1 million in state funding.
Sarah Hockup, Executive Director of Joint Animal Services, gave an operational update on June 3 that included staffing and volunteer metrics, intake and outcome statistics, field-response work, veterinary services results and preliminary facility funding considerations.
Hockup said volunteers contributed 5,626 hours last year across 40 volunteers, equating to about 2.7 full-time equivalents and an estimated volunteer-value contribution of roughly $225,000. The agency reported more than 1,500 adoptions in 2024 and an average length-of-stay reduction from 11 days to 7 days after in-house veterinary and operational efficiencies were implemented.
Hockup said total intake was more than 3,300 animals and that dog intakes rose by about 28% last year; the city of Lacey represented about 21% of total intake across the four jurisdictions sharing the interlocal agreement. She highlighted field response work, including a livestock/overbreeding case where officers coordinated with rescues, reduced a herd of dogs back to an appropriate number, and secured spay/neuter services to prevent recurrence.
On facilities, staff reviewed prior space needs work and a revised value-engineered concept for a roughly 20,000-square-foot integrated facility (down from earlier, larger concepts). The scheme would consolidate kennels, cat spaces, a veterinary clinic, and community-facing functions. Hockup said funding considerations include an estimated $1 million in state funding received this year, joint agency reserves, bequests and donations, proceeds from property sale, and potential external grants; Joint Animal Services estimates it could contribute about $7.5 million from reserves and campaign funds toward a capital project.
Hockup said an initial budget-range estimate for a new facility is approximately $33 million to $41.5 million depending primarily on site acquisition and site-preparation costs. The interlocal partners have formed a working group to review financing options that could include a bond, public development authority tools, grants, or other capital mechanisms.
Why it matters: Joint Animal Services’ operational trends—rising intake especially of dogs, a larger volunteer program, and reduced length of stay—both reflect increasing demand for services and strengthen the case for a modern facility that meets national standards and reduces stress and disease risk for animals. The state grant and local contributions provide initial capital, but significant additional funding will be required.
What happens next: The four-jurisdiction working group will continue evaluating financing tools and partner contributions; staff will return to the jurisdictions with more detailed financial models and a recommended approach for site acquisition and capital fundraising.
