Putnam County residents press commission on animal shelter management as county formalizes oversight

Dozens of residents and volunteers pressed the Putnam County Commission on shelter operations, finances and staffing during public comment, while commissioners described temporary contracts and upcoming hires intended to stabilize the facility.

The concerns centered on management turnover, contracting for vet and managerial services, the handling of donations, and conditions at the Putnam County Animal Shelter (PCAS). The commission said it had contracted with an external humane organization for training and veterinary services and has budgeted a substantial personnel increase starting July 1.

Why it matters: Shelter volunteers and donors said they have repeatedly raised questions about where donated funds and supplies went, staffing and the health and safety of animals at the facility. County officials described temporary contracts and policy steps intended to maintain services while the county seeks a permanent director and adds staff.

Volunteers and former staff recounted multiple operational problems and leadership changes. Volunteer Darren Erickson said he left his paid position in protest, calling shelter management “muddy” and saying volunteers and staff had resisted byzantine approval processes. Volunteer Lydia Dunbar told the commission, “We do not need KCHA and we do not need you,” criticizing the county’s ongoing relationship with outside providers and the commission’s handling of personnel decisions.

Several speakers pressed the commission for accounting of donated funds and supplies. Jeanette Waller asked whether donations “go into a general fund,” and the county president responded, “If you designate it for the animal shelter, it goes under that line item for the animal shelter.” The commission said donations given to the county are recorded in the county general fund under a line item for the dog fund but that donors may instead give to an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) tied to the shelter.

County staff described the county’s use of outside assistance. The commission said it began working with the Kanawha‑Charleston humane organization in January 2024. That relationship initially was funded at $4,000 per month, was reduced to $2,500 per month after July 1, 2024, and, after a director resigned in April 2025, the county contracted with the outside organization for two months (May and June) at $8,000 per month to provide managerial and veterinary‑of‑record services while the county recruits a new director. The county also told the commission that a sum “almost $30,000” owed to the outside provider was awaiting processing on an employee’s desk.

The commission said it has advertised for a permanent director and expects to interview candidates in the coming weeks, aiming to have a new director in place by July 1. Commissioners also said the county budget adopted in March includes the largest personnel increase of any county department for the animal shelter that will take effect July 1, and that the county plans to create an assistant director position to provide continuity if a director leaves.

Former humane officer Mikaela Hilburn, who told the commission she had been dismissed from a paid role, described on‑the‑ground rescue work and criticized other shelter personnel and outside partners. “I have saved, rescued, adopted, fostered so many animals from PCAS,” Hilburn said. She and other volunteers also reported missing items (fans and other donated equipment), large amounts of waste discovered during volunteer cleanups, and cold‑weather and summer‑temperature incidents that volunteers say harmed animals.

Volunteer Rick Christie described emotional reasons for his involvement and pressed the commission for durable improvements to fencing, drainage and daily animal care; he said volunteers have repeatedly supplied food and equipment. Volunteer Debbie Duis detailed sustained community fundraising and cleanup efforts and asked for a detailed, itemized accounting of money raised and spent on the shelter.

County responses included these steps and clarifications: (1) temporary contracting with the outside humane organization to provide veterinary and managerial services while a new director is recruited; (2) a planned assistant director position effective July 1 to reduce disruption from turnover; (3) the existence of a nonprofit 501(c)(3) separate from county funds for donations that donors may direct to avoid county disbursement discretion; and (4) that money designated “for the animal shelter” but received by the county is recorded in a county line item for the dog fund and is to be spent on shelter needs.

Speakers and volunteers asked for greater transparency (including regular, itemized accounting of donated funds), clearer chain‑of‑command for veterinary decisions, and assurance that standard operating procedures (SOPs) are finalized and followed. The county said it adopted Kanawha‑area policies as a model and has modified them for local use.

The commission did not adopt any new binding policy at the meeting. Commissioners said interviews for a new shelter director are imminent and that several administrative budget and staffing changes will take effect July 1; volunteers asked for continued public updates and a written accounting of donations and expenditures.

Ending: The discussion closed with residents urging ongoing oversight; the commission scheduled follow‑up by staff, recruitment for a permanent director and the planned assistant director hire to provide operational continuity.