Shelter staff updated the Decatur County Council on grants and performance metrics and the council approved appropriations for several awards during the meeting.

Mandy (last name not specified), presenting for animal control, said the shelter’s live-save rate rose from 56.6% in 2022 to 61.7% in 2023 and to 80.8% in 2024. She reported intake so far this year of 44 cats and 29 dogs and credited grant funding and mentor-shelter partnerships — including assistance from Best Friends and a mentoring relationship with Greater Dayton Humane Society — for process and foster improvements. She said Best Friends also recognized the shelter with a Best Friends Able Society Collective Impact 2024 award and that the shelter has been nominated for other national contests that produced broad public interest.

Council members unanimously approved a motion to appropriate the final $32,000 payment from the Best Friends grant (part of a $60,000 award described by staff) and to accept and appropriate a $1,000 donation from the Greater Good Charity for shelter services. The council also received notice of a $1,000 Rachel Ray "Save Them All" grant final payment and discussed continuing efforts to maintain the higher save rate without relying solely on one-time grants.

Mandy also introduced Sierra Cross as the county’s new animal-control officer. No changes to shelter staffing levels were approved at the meeting; funding appropriations were for grant pass-throughs and donor funds.

The council did not vote on new operational policy for the shelter. Staff said they will continue to report grant outcomes and metrics back to the council.