Cowlitz County weighs options as Humane Society seeks higher fees and control of county facility

Cowlitz County commissioners heard a report this week that negotiations with the Humane Society of Southwest Washington could raise the county’s animal‑sheltering costs sharply and would require the county to stop using a temporary holding facility at the jail.

Why it matters: Commissioners and county legal staff said the Humane Society’s proposed terms would place the county in a weaker bargaining position by making the nonprofit the only long‑term shelter option in the area. That, officials said, could drive further price increases and reduce the county’s ability to control sheltering policy and operations.

Jason Loreen, a prosecutor with the county, told commissioners the Humane Society’s negotiators have “made clear that they want the county to end all use and function of the current facility that was created by the board,” and that the group has proposed large fee increases for municipal partners. Loreen said the society initially sought what he characterized as a steep increase and later offered a reduced figure; the most recent number discussed in the meeting was…