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Greenhill Humane Society contract and animal‑services cuts draw strong public opposition
Summary
Public commenters and Greenhill leadership told the Budget Committee proposed reductions to the city’s animal‑services contract and sheltering fees would create public‑safety and animal‑welfare gaps; Greenhill said the shelter handled nearly 1,600 Eugene animals last year.
Dozens of residents and Greenhill Humane Society leaders told the Eugene Budget Committee on May 14 that cutting the city’s animal‑services budget and the sheltering contract would create public‑safety and animal‑welfare risks.
Cary Lieberman, executive director of Greenhill Humane Society, testified that Greenhill has been a contract partner with the City of Eugene since 2012 and that the shelter handled nearly 1,600 Eugene animals last year — a 32% increase compared with pre‑COVID numbers. “There’s no room to cut the sheltering contract,” Lieberman said.
Why it matters: Witnesses said the city’s contracted sheltering and animal‑control services perform duties tied to public safety — removing dangerous animals, investigating cruelty and neglect, responding to animals left in hot cars and providing a centralized way to report and recover lost pets. Speakers warned that without the contract, police and emergency responders would be left to manage matters for which they lack specialized capacity.
What speakers said - Kelly Clayton urged the committee to reject the proposed elimination of animal services and the Greenhill sheltering contract and warned cuts would leave “dangerous, suffering, and abandoned animals…with nowhere to go.” - Nicole (senior foster and 25‑year rescuer) referenced Oregon law and said ORS 609 requires municipalities to ensure sheltering/animal‑control services are provided either directly or by contract; she said the law requires impoundment authority be available. - Cary Lieberman said the city’s contract has not risen to cover inflation since 2020 and currently covers less than half of Greenhill’s actual costs.
Budget context and staff remarks City staff presented an amended biennial budget that includes potential reductions across library, recreation and cultural services, alternate‑response programs, neighborhood services and the animal‑welfare/sheltering contract. Committee members asked for specifics on the financial exposure and whether the county contributes to Greenhill. Staff said some details would be provided after the meeting.
Numbers and clarifications cited - Greenhill reported sheltering nearly 1,600 Eugene animals last year (Cary Lieberman testimony). - Witnesses referenced ORS 609 as the relevant state law describing municipal animal‑control responsibilities (speaker: Nicole).
Ending Public commenters urged committee members to preserve the contract; several committee members said they would explore options to restore or reallocate funding if alternate revenue sources become available before final budget action on May 28.
