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East Wenatchee approves one-year animal control contract amid questions about euthanasia, feral‑cat services
Summary
City council approved a one‑year, roughly $105,207 contract with Wenatchee Valley Animal Care and Control LLC while asking staff to seek further information from the shelter’s new director on euthanasia policy, trap‑neuter‑return (TNR) and community cat handling.
The East Wenatchee City Council on a unanimous vote approved Resolution 2025‑13, authorizing a one‑year animal control services agreement with Wenatchee Valley Animal Care and Control LLC for an amount not to exceed $105,207.
Council members said they favored a short, one‑year contract so the city and the shelter’s new executive director can review operations, rates and services before committing to a longer term. Staff said the humane society initially sought a larger increase across a multi‑year contract; the city negotiated a 15% increase for a single year to allow time for evaluation.
City staff noted state law (RCW) requires municipalities to provide or arrange for animal control services. The contract retains standard holding and disposal language: the shelter will hold unclaimed domestic animals for at least 72 hours and provide for “humane disposal” afterwards, with earlier disposal allowed if sickness or injury requires it. Council members raised multiple questions about how that provision is implemented in practice.
Council members sought clarity on: whether the shelter is truly a “no‑kill” facility in all cases, how the shelter handles animals with disease or that have bitten people, how community/feral cats are managed, and whether the shelter provides routine reporting to the city under the new contract. Staff said the new director began in November and that the year‑long contract allows time for the director to present operational details and for the city to require additional reporting if needed.
Councilmember questions referenced community concerns about animals reportedly being euthanized before reclaim by owners and the need for clearer communication about feral‑cat programs such as TNR (trap‑neuter‑release). Staff said some animals are transported to other jurisdictions for adoption and that the shelter’s policies distinguish adoptable animals from those with disease or dangerous behavior; the transcript did not include a named representative of the shelter explaining specific operational protocols beyond the city staff summary.
Council members also discussed limits of the contract: current language does not require the shelter to handle community cats or deceased animals on private property; those remain the responsibility of private owners or other agencies. Staff said education about not feeding free‑roaming cats is a city action they can pursue while negotiations continue.
The motion to approve Resolution 2025‑13 was made by Council member Botello and seconded by Council member Johnson; the council voted aye and the motion carried.
Council and staff agreed to schedule follow‑up briefings during the contract year so the council can review adoption, euthanasia, TNR and reporting practices before any further commitment.
