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Cowlitz County explores coordinated approach to animal sheltering after cities sign one-year deals
Summary
County officials said cities are renewing one-year contracts with the Humane Society while a new interjurisdictional group will study longer-term options, including a possible countywide shelter or other contracting arrangements.
A multi-jurisdictional group of city and county officials has begun discussing a longer-term approach to humane-society contracts and animal sheltering, after the recent expiration of prior arrangements.
A commissioner told the board he attended a meeting convened by the city of Longview with Sheriff Brad and representatives from Castle Rock and Kelso to discuss shelter contracts and options for the coming year. He said the group’s view was that while cities would likely sign one-year renewals for now, they want to pursue a collaborative approach going forward.
The board gave the sheriff authority to negotiate the contract, and commissioners said they expect cities such as Longview and Kelso to sign one-year deals while the multi-jurisdiction committee continues work. The commissioner said the committee plans to investigate shared options including a countywide shelter and potential sites, and cited an example of a possible metal building near the county gun-range area as a conceptual option for future consideration. He also said the group planned a follow-up meeting around March 18.
The board discussed alternatives used in other counties: contracting with municipal animal-control programs, sheriff-led models, host-family fosters in small jurisdictions, and innovative programs that partners prisons with animal-care work crews. No formal contract award or multi-year commitment was made at the meeting; commissioners said they expect short-term one-year renewals while committee work continues.
