City council approves 2025 animal-shelter contract with Blue Mountain Humane Society; contract raises city's minimum payment

The Walla Walla City Council on Jan. 8 unanimously approved Resolution 2025-002, authorizing the city manager to enter into a one-year contract with Blue Mountain Humane Society for animal shelter services in 2025. Council members voted to approve the contract after a staff presentation that described changes to cost structure and who may deliver animals covered under the city's payment agreement.

Deputy City Manager Preston Fredericksen outlined the contract terms, saying the schedule ties a per-drop-off rate to an estimated 190 animal drop-offs by city animal-control officers and sets a total minimum payment of approximately $67,450 for 2025. "There's an estimated amount of ... 190 drop offs ... and that that dollar amount is given a per drop off amount with a total amount of approximately $67,000 $67,450 for 2025," Fredericksen told council.

The contract also clarifies that only a city animal-control officer or a designated designee will count toward the 190 annual drop-offs. "Historically, anyone from the community could drop off an animal ... This clarifies that the only [animal-control officer] or designee can drop off an animal that counts towards that 190 per year," Fredericksen said. Blue Mountain Humane Society representatives said the change reflects rising costs and the shelter's limited capacity.

Diane Veil, identified as CEO of Blue Mountain Humane Society, told council she appreciated the negotiated agreement and acknowledged higher operating costs: "...our costs have increased quite a bit... I just really appreciate the efforts, and the support, and our relationship with the city is really important." Council members and the police chief also praised the shelter's work and noted the mutual benefit of maintaining a working relationship.

Council members asked operational questions about microchip scanning, owner-notification and holding periods. Staff said Washington state law requires shelters to hold an animal for 72 hours before the shelter becomes the legal owner; staff also said the shelter generally treats cats and dogs differently in reclamation rates and is seeing national trends of fewer owners reclaiming animals.

Financial context presented at the meeting: the city paid $58,253.16 to Blue Mountain Humane Society in 2024; the 2025 minimum contract payment is roughly $67,450 (about a $9,000 increase). The contract is structured as 12 monthly installments; any animal drop-offs above the 190 baseline are billed at an additional per-animal fee (stated in discussion as about $355 per additional animal).

The council adopted the resolution by voice vote with all council members present voting in favor. No amendment was offered during the meeting.

Because the new contract removes the obligation for the shelter to accept animals dropped off by private citizens as a guaranteed contract service, the humane society said it will retain discretion to accept community drop-offs based on capacity. Council members said the change was intended to keep contracted costs aligned with the city's animal-control workload and the shelter's capacity constraints.