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Grimes County Animal Rescue asks commissioners for $30,000; court tentatively budgets $15,000
Summary
Grimes County Animal Rescue told commissioners its intake has grown and that medical and spay/neuter costs have risen; rescue leaders requested $30,000 and county staff placed $15,000 in the preliminary budget while noting continued review.
Grimes County Animal Rescue representatives asked the Commissioners Court on July 29 for a $30,000 county allocation for FY2026, citing sharp intake growth and rising veterinary costs. Commissioners placed $15,000 in the preliminary county budget and asked the rescue to provide follow-up details about grants and reimbursable disaster-response plans.
Elora Alexander, identified as rescue coordinator, and Jayla McKay, the rescue supervisor, told commissioners the rescue's intake this year has more than doubled: staff reported taking 353 animals for the year to date compared with about 101 the prior year, and said the organization has expanded claims on spay/neuter and other veterinary supplies. "We've intaken so many stray animals this year, our vet supplies have gone up tremendously," Alexander said.
Financial status and services Michelle Gremillion, listed in the hearing as secretary of the rescue's board of directors, told the court the rescue's fiscal 2024 Form 990 showed a deficit of about $35,000; new leadership reduced that shortfall to about $6,500 in six months. Gremillion said general-fund donations were up 31% and gross income up 9% year-over-year, but that the rescue remains near break-even after veterinary and intake costs.
Program role and county coordination Rescue leaders said the group is building an emergency-management animal plan in coordination with Texas A&M AgriLife and county emergency management. The plan will help position the organization to request reimbursements after disasters and to apply for grants for kennels and supplies. Commissioners asked whether grants have already been pursued; rescue staff said the plan is still being finalized and grant work has not yet been completed.
Adoptions, fees and operations Rescue officials said adoption revenue is up about 106% compared with the prior year, though adoption fees generally cover spay/neuter, initial vaccinations and microchipping. Adoption fees were cited as $100 for dogs and $65 for cats; the rescue said adopters receive a year of basic vaccine care included in the adoption fee.
Commissioners' response and next steps County staff said they included $15,000 for Grimes County Animal Rescue in the preliminary budget. Commissioners asked the rescue to continue exploring grants tied to the emergency plan and to submit any supporting documentation. The court will revisit the non-departmental requests as it finalizes the FY2026 budget.
Ending Rescue leaders thanked the court; commissioners and staff asked rescue representatives to return with grant information and any additional detail that might justify an increase to the preliminary allocation.
