Greene County volunteers seek county land, letters of support for no-kill animal shelter

Eva Kebbe, president of the Greene County Animal Alliance, asked the Greene County County Services committee on Monday, Feb. 10 to help the volunteer group obtain county-owned land in Cairo and to provide letters of support as it pursues grants to build a no-kill animal shelter.

Kebbe told the committee the shelter is intended to serve at-risk dogs and cats across Greene County, and described a proposed 4,000-square-foot metal building housing a veterinary suite and spay/neuter clinic. "Our mission is to establish a no-kill animal shelter as a safe haven for at‑risk animals in Greene County," Kebbe said.

The alliance presented detailed capacity and cost projections to the committee and said local fundraising and community support have already produced early results. The organization described a shelter design that would hold about 10–15 dogs and roughly 30 cats at one time, include isolation and surgical areas, and provide outdoor kennels and food preparation and storage space. The alliance estimated the steel shell of the building at about $90,000, interior finishing and utilities between $1 million and $1.5 million, and a total project range (excluding site-specific site-preparation costs) of about $1.1 million to $1.6 million.

Kebbe said the alliance raised more than $95,000 in 2024 through fundraising events, private donations and small grants, has scheduled nine fundraising events for 2025 and operates roughly two dozen volunteers and about 50 donation boxes placed at local businesses. She also said the group has nearly 400 signatures on an online petition and about a dozen letters of local support. "We're asking for your support, particularly with obtaining land in Cairo. A county-owned property opportunity has come to our attention and we would be very interested in pursuing this," Kebbe said.

Committee members asked about ongoing operating costs, staffing and veterinary coverage. Kebbe said the alliance expects veterinary services to start part time, with the goal of expanding hours as demand and funding increase. She said partnerships for donated pet food have begun — naming Walmart as an example of a local donor — but that operating budgets remain a work in progress. "The operating costs we're going to have to sit down and... really work at that," she said, adding the immediate priority is securing a site so the group can qualify for more grants.

Committee members offered to help with letters of support and asked Kebbe to provide the exact wording the alliance would like the committee to use. No formal vote or binding county commitment was taken at the meeting; committee members instructed staff to coordinate on a letter and to check for any suitable county-owned properties.

The alliance also circulated fundraising and support materials during the presentation and invited committee members to upcoming events.

Ending — Next steps: The Greene County Animal Alliance said it will provide suggested language for a letter of support and follow up with the chairman and county staff about county‑owned parcels in Cairo. No county funding or parcel was committed during the meeting.