Commission approves sending fenced dog-run proposal to county commissioners; Eagle Scout donation box also proposed

The Carbon County Animal Shelter Advisory Commission voted on June 3 to forward a proposal to Carbon County commissioners to create a fenced outdoor kennel/run area for shelter dogs at the shelter property on Susquehanna Street in Bimthorpe.

Chair (name not specified) introduced a draft letter asking county commissioners to consider an outdoor, staff-only fenced run adjacent to the memorial garden or on a small corner of shelter property. The commission discussed limiting the area’s use to shelter dogs and staff to reduce liability concerns; members said the area would let dogs exhibit off-leash behavior for enrichment and let staff and potential adopters observe a dog’s temperament in a larger space.

Commission members noted that a separate, public dog park (identified in the meeting as a Pascagone project) is planned for residents, so the shelter area would be intended strictly for enrichment and meet-and-greet observations for adoption candidates. The commission discussed site options, ease of access to water, low upkeep, and the availability of donation funds to pay for construction.

The commission made a motion to approve sending the proposal to county commissioners; the motion passed by voice vote. The commission also reported that an Eagle Scout candidate had proposed building a weather-protected donation box to accept after-hours donations; the commission said it had forwarded information about that project to the county commissioners and would assist the scout if the commissioners approve the project.