Carbon County Animal Shelter reports steady adoptions, pending repairs to shed, roof and security cameras

The Carbon County Animal Shelter Advisory Commission heard the director’s monthly report June 3 detailing staffing, intake and adoption numbers, donations and outstanding facility repairs. Director Tom reported supply and food donations, adoption activity and maintenance needs at the shelter located at 44 Susquehanna Street in Jim Thorpe.

Tom said the shelter had one vacant part-time K-9 officer position with an application received and interviews planned. For April, he reported $2,736 in food donations and supplies valued at $20,091; kennel capacity was 16, with 22 dogs at the start of the month, 16 at month’s end, seven adoptions, one owner surrender and eight reclaimed by owners. For May, food donations tallied $5,141 (from FreshPak), supplies $2,658, kennels 16, 16 dogs at the start of the month and 15 at month’s end, nine adoptions, two owner surrenders and four reclaimed by owners.

Facility issues remain unresolved. Commissioners were told a county maintenance crew assessed camera locations but installation is pending. The shelter ordered three remaining kennel doors to complete that upgrade. A shed repair has not been done despite $5,000 donated for materials; commissioners discussed asking the county commissioners to bid the work to local contractors because maintenance staff are occupied with other county projects. The commission also raised a recurring roof leak that appears only in certain wind and rain conditions; the ceiling near the leak shows early mold and commissioners asked that be addressed to prevent further damage.

Tom reported an uptick in police calls and after-hours calls (April: seven police calls, six after-hours calls; May: 11 police calls, nine after-hours calls). The commission requested a storage unit for yard sale materials pending approval; the shelter has submitted an official request to hold a yard sale but cannot advertise until county approval is received. The commission also submitted information to the county commissioners about an Eagle Scout project to build an outdoor donation box.

Chairman thanked donors and community supporters, and the commission recognized recent local media coverage of kennel doors and the memorial garden. The commission set its next meeting for August 2025 at 6 p.m. at 44 Susquehanna Street in Jim Thorpe.

The discussion was informational; no binding spending decisions or contracts were approved at the meeting. Actions related to construction or contracting would require county-commissioner approval.