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Animal shelter commission approves plan to seek fenced dog run
Summary
The Carbon County Animal Shelter Advisory Commission voted to forward a proposal to county commissioners to create a fenced, off‑public dog run for shelter use and reviewed monthly intake, adoption and facility updates.
The Carbon County Animal Shelter Advisory Commission voted June 3 to send a proposal to the county commissioners seeking construction of a fenced outdoor exercise area reserved for shelter dogs and staff.
The move came during new-business discussion when commissioners and staff said the enclosed area would be used for enrichment, meet-and-greets with prospective adopters and supervised off-leash observation. The commission approved a motion to forward the proposal to the commissioners; the motion carried with all members present voting in favor.
The proposal, drafted by advisory commission members, suggests siting the run adjacent to the shelter memorial garden or on a small corner of county property near the shelter. Commissioners said the run would be limited to shelter dogs and staff to avoid public-liability concerns and to allow adopters and staff to see dogs’ behavior off leash. "If we limit it to the shelter dogs and shelter workers doing it, then we should be pretty safe that way," a commissioner said during the discussion.
The commission spent most of the meeting reviewing shelter operations. Tom, the shelter director, reported monthly statistics for April and May: the shelter has 16 kennels; April began with 22 dogs and ended with 16 after seven adoptions and one owner surrender; May began with 16 dogs and ended with 15 after nine adoptions and two owner surrenders. Director Tom also said total kennel capacity and daily highest counts varied month to month, and that police calls and after-hours calls had increased from April to May.
Facility maintenance items were discussed in detail. Staff said the shelter is waiting for security cameras to be installed and for repairs to ceiling damage in the kennel area caused by intermittent roof leaks. The commission said three remaining kennel doors have been ordered and should complete that project. Members also raised the shed repair, noting $5,000 in donated materials exists for the work and suggesting the commission ask county commissioners to seek bids from local contractors to finish the job.
Fundraising and ancillary items included a pending request to hold a yard sale (advertising paused until official approval is granted), a likely request for an additional storage unit if needed, and an Eagle Scout project application to build a weatherproof donation box outside the shelter. The commission also thanked donors and local media coverage for recent articles about kennel doors and the memorial garden.
Votes at a glance - Approval of April minutes: motion made and seconded; "Aye" recorded and motion approved. - Approval of February 2025 minutes (correction to date): motion made and seconded; "Aye" recorded and motion approved. - Motion to forward the fenced outdoor-run proposal to county commissioners: motion made and seconded; "Aye" recorded and motion approved. - Motion to adjourn: motion made and seconded; "Aye" recorded and motion approved.
The commission set its next meeting for August 2025 at 6 p.m. at 44 Susquehanna Street. The state dog warden was scheduled to meet with commissioners after the public meeting for a separate, brief discussion.
