Shelter reports surge in animal intake, higher medical costs and staff strain

Joint Animal Services Executive Director Sarah Hawk and staff told the committee the shelter has seen a strong year‑over‑year increase in animal intake and related service demand through Sept. 30, 2025.

"August, we saw a record number of 400 animals come into the shelter," Hawk said. She reported that intake has remained elevated into September and that year‑to‑date intake has already exceeded last year’s full‑year total: "As of September 30, we were at 3,322 animals that we have taken into the system versus last year... 3,305 animals, and that was through December."

Staff provided species and jurisdiction breakdowns: cat intake is up roughly 30% year‑to‑date while dog intake is up just under 16% compared with the prior year; by jurisdiction Thurston County accounted for the largest share of intake (reported at 59%), followed by Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater. Field calls have risen as well, with Thurston County accounting for 44% of calls and Tumwater reporting a 35% year‑over‑year increase in field calls.

Hawk and staff said the intake surge has driven higher shelter medical costs and operational pressures. The shelter performed about 98% of routine spay and neuter surgeries in‑house in the last reporting period and more than 90% of medical treatments in‑house — a level staff said was achieved with the help of visiting veterinarians. "We were only able to accomplish those numbers because Dr. Swearingen has created partnerships with other veterinarians to come in and help do relief," staff said.

Staff described operational impacts: the shelter added up to three surgery days in summer to keep up with caseload, reported staff burnout and fewer slow months for project work, and budgeted for higher overtime and supplies for 2026. Hawk said field officers and animal care staff are "feeling that busyness, more so I would even say a little bit of burnout and some stress."

Public outcomes: staff said positive outcomes have increased alongside intake — adoptions are at or near all‑time highs (about 1,500 reported for the most recent 12‑month comparison) and transfers and community cat diversions have also risen. Return‑to‑owner numbers (reclaims) were described in the presentation and licensing revenue was discussed; staff reported a small dip in licensing since moving to an online system.

Hawk flagged a rise in cruelty investigations this year, including five first‑degree cruelty cases over the summer and two second‑degree instances; the agency is coordinating with the Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office on 11 referrals or filed cases. Staff said some forensic exams and specialist costs (avian specialists for cockfighting cases, laboratory tests for cruelty investigations) are expensive and will be tracked in a new line item in field services beginning next year.

Ending: staff tied operational and medical cost increases to intake trends and urged jurisdictions to consider long‑term funding as part of the budget process. Hawk asked members to take the intake and staffing realities back to their councils in advance of the November budget hearing.