Bladen County Animal Control requests small fee increases for shelter services; board discussion recorded

A representative of the Bladen County Animal Control Board asked the commission to approve modest increases to nine shelter fees and to add two new items: a cat carrier for adopters and rabies vaccinations administered at the shelter for adopted animals.

The animal control representative said the requested increases are ‘‘very minimal,’’ citing examples such as increasing a boarding after‑three‑day fee from $8 to $10 and raising other daily or service charges by small amounts. The board's veterinary of record, Dr. Ginzel, approved the request to provide rabies vaccines at the shelter at the time of adoption, the presenter said.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the boarding fee schedule and whether a listed boarding fee change was a typographical error. The animal control representative clarified the proposal: the boarding fee would remain $15 for the initial period and move to $10 after three days rather than the previous $8 after three days.

The transcript records subsequent procedural language consistent with a vote—"Any other questions on both sides? Aye. I'll oppose." The record in the provided excerpt does not include a formal motion text, mover, seconder, or a full roll call tally. The presenter asked the board to "consider this increase in fees," and county staff later moved to call the item for consideration.

The request affects shelter operations and cost recovery; the transcript does not show a posted fee ordinance or the effective date for new charges in the excerpt provided.