Advocates, council press for review of Flagler Humane Society contract and capacity

Wendy Tramarci, a representative of Bridal Refuge Flagler, told the Palm Coast City Council on March 3 that Flagler County and local cities together spent roughly $416,000 in fiscal year 2024 on Flagler Humane Society and urged local governments to consider creating a second municipal animal shelter.

Tramarci said Flagler County contributed about $284,000, Palm Coast about $90,000, Bunnell roughly $26,000 and Flagler Beach about $16,000. She told the council her group visited municipal shelters in other counties and found widely varying kennel counts, staffing levels and operating budgets. “We are only 1 of 13 counties in Florida to not operate a municipal shelter out of 67,” she said.

The presentation argued the county’s current shelter capacity and governance expose the community to risk if the private shelter cannot—or chooses not—to continue operations. Tramarci told the council Flagler Humane Society (FHS) operates 56 kennels and, according to the presentation she delivered, showed staffing figures and operating-cost comparisons that she said point to inefficiencies. She also said municipal…