Carbon County animal-shelter advisory commission reviews facility repairs, donations and approves request to seek fenced play area for shelter dogs

The Carbon County Animal Shelter Advisory Commission on June 3 reviewed monthly intake and adoption figures, facility maintenance needs and fundraising plans, and voted to send a proposal for a fenced off‑leash exercise area for shelter dogs to the county commissioners for approval.

The commission heard shelter Director Tom report monthly statistics and donations that commission members said are easing operational pressure. Tom said, “FreshPak was kind enough to give us another big pallet of food, which all the dogs love,” and provided counts for April and May showing adoptions and incoming animals.

Tom, director of the shelter, told the commission that in April the shelter received about $2,736 in donated food, had supplies valued at $20,091, and reported 16 kennels in operation; the month began with 22 dogs and ended with 16, with seven adoptions and eight reclaimed by owners. For May Tom reported $5,141 in donated food, $2,658 in supplies, 16 kennels, nine adoptions, two owner surrenders and a month‑end population of 15 dogs. He also said police calls and after‑hours calls increased between April and May.

Commission members discussed outstanding facility work: installation of a camera system (inspection completed; installation pending), repair of a leaky section of the kennel ceiling that is causing localized mold, and an order placed for the last three kennel doors needed to complete that project. The commission noted an offer of roughly $5,000 in donated material funds toward repairs; members discussed asking the county commissioners to solicit bids from local contractors so the work can be completed sooner than waiting on in‑house maintenance capacity.

On fundraising and operations, staff said a requested yard‑sale permit is expected to be approved by the commissioners this week; once approved the shelter can advertise. The shelter will also request a storage unit if the donor who loaned one previously is unavailable. Commission members told the meeting they had notified the commissioners about an Eagle Scout candidate’s plan to build an exterior donation box, and they expect to support that project if approved.

Under new business, the commission presented a draft letter asking the county commissioners to consider a fenced, staff‑supervised off‑leash exercise area adjacent to the memorial garden for shelter dogs (not open to the public). Commissioners and staff said the area would be used for enrichment and to let potential adopters see dogs off leash under staff supervision. A motion to approve forwarding the proposal to the county commissioners was made and seconded; the motion carried on a voice vote.

Votes at a glance: April minutes approved (motion made and seconded; voice vote "Aye"); correction and approval of February 2025 minutes approved (motion made and seconded; voice vote "Aye"); motion to forward the fenced exercise‑area proposal to the county commissioners approved (motion made and seconded; voice vote "Aye"); motion to adjourn approved (motion made and seconded; voice vote "Aye").

The commission scheduled its next regular meeting for August 2025 at 6 p.m. at 44 Susquehanna Street. After the meeting the group expected a briefing from the state dog warden. The commission did not take binding action on contractor selection, camera installation dates, or a timeline for the kennel‑ceiling repair; those items remain pending approval or scheduling by county maintenance or the commissioners.