Dozens of residents and local rescue organizations urged Bryan County commissioners on Oct. 14 to expand shelter volunteer opportunities, allow trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR/TNR) programs for community cats, and increase low-cost spay/neuter and vaccine clinics as the county prepares to open a new animal shelter.

The public comment period was led by representatives of local rescues and animal-care volunteers who described shelter crowding, the need for better communication between county animal control and rescue partners, and practical steps such as volunteer transport, foster and playgroup programs to increase live outcomes.

Catherine, an animal-control staff member who briefed the board on operations, outlined shelter capacity and recent activity. She said the new shelter includes a lobby, adoption room, exam rooms, two cat rooms and a kennel area. Catherine described kennel configurations as 24 total kennels, of which 18 have indoor/outdoor runs and six are smaller kennels for small dogs. She reported recent operational numbers for the shelter: 14 animals transferred to rescue partners (12 cats, two dogs), six adoptions (two cats, four dogs), five animals returned to owners and one euthanasia for a sick cat. Catherine also said the department hired three new employees, with a third new hire starting in late October, and that the county is reviewing a volunteer transport program.

Public commenters and rescue partners

- Megan Felton, vice president and TNR coordinator for Two Black Dogs Foundation, described her nonprofit’s programs — including monthly pet-food pantries, spay/neuter assistance and a TNR program — and urged formal coordination with county animal control. She asked the county to create a liaison and a shared, urgent communication channel so rescues can respond quickly to shelter medical and transfer needs.

- Jennifer Taylor of Renegade Paws Rescue said her organization has been a Bryan County partner for six years and has pulled roughly 890 dogs from local shelters across that span. Taylor and other rescue representatives pressed the board to create a seat at the table for rescue partners to advise on animal-control strategy and to rapidly expand volunteer transport and foster capacity.

- Multiple commenters, including volunteers with experience standing up municipal volunteer programs, recommended a tiered volunteer program that includes training, shadowing and defined tasks (kennel cleaning, dog walking, photography, transport to adoption events and fostering) to raise adoption rates and reduce staff burnout.

- Speakers advocated for TNVR/TNR (trap-neuter-vaccinate-return) for community cats, citing examples from other Georgia counties and noting available grant funding to start a TNVR program. Commenters asked the county to permit TNVR where appropriate and to coordinate clinics and public education campaigns about responsible pet ownership and licensing.

Rescue and shelter partners offered assistance and training from nearby jurisdictions; speakers said Chatham County has an established volunteer and TNVR program and offered to share their model and lessons learned.

Budget and program notes

Catherine also provided a brief budget snapshot for the animal-services program: staff said the department’s budget has grown from about $285,000 in 2021 to roughly $466,000 in the current year, and that staff anticipate a budget near $515,000 for 2026. She reiterated that several capital improvements — the new shelter building and new cat enclosures — are in place or imminent and that the county received equipment deliveries this month.

What commissionors said and next steps

Commissioners listened during the public comment period and acknowledged they would consider the suggestions. The chair said the county will take the comments under advisement and that staff will follow up; the transcript shows the board moved on to other agenda items and later entered an executive session for personnel and litigation matters.

Why it matters

Shelter capacity, volunteer programs and TNVR policy affect live-release rates, shelter crowding and public complaints about free-roaming animals. The callers’ requests for a formal volunteer program, better coordination with rescue partners and expanded low-cost clinics would require county policy decisions and, in some cases, legal review of liability and program safeguards.

Sources and provenance

This article is based on public comments and a staff update at the Oct. 14 Bryan County Board of Commissioners meeting.