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Hardin County animal control reports adoptions, volunteer growth and pressure on no-kill target
Summary
Animal-control staff reported 49 dog adoptions in May, increased returns-to-owner, and a 15% euthanasia rate that reduces the shelter’s no-kill status to about 87%. Staff credited a growing volunteer program and community adoption events for higher returns and adoptions.
Mike McNutt, who presented the animal-control report to the Fiscal Court on June 10, said May shelter activity included 49 adoptions, 24 returns to owners, three transfers to rescue organizations and 14 euthanasias. For the year to date, McNutt said dog adoptions are down 109 compared with the prior year, while returns to owners have increased by 40.
McNutt said the shelter’s year-to-date euthanasia rate is about 15 percent, placing the intake outcome at roughly 87 percent — below the commonly used 90 percent “no-kill” threshold. He called volunteer support a key resource: in May roughly 50 volunteers provided 260 hours, with group and student volunteers contributing sizeable portions of that time. McNutt highlighted community adoption events that produced notable one-day results, saying an event led to 18 adoptions and $3,500 in fees and donations.
The presentation described efforts to return identified pets in the field and to expand volunteer supervision. McNutt credited a new staff position for supporting volunteer coordination and said the shelter receives volunteers from schools, clubs, businesses and out-of-county groups who travel to assist.
No formal court action followed the report.
