Sitka Assembly approves interim MOU to reopen shelter volunteer program; town hall set to update animal-control code

The Sitka Assembly on Feb. 25 approved a memorandum of understanding between the City and Borough of Sitka (CBS) and Friends of Sitka Animal Shelter (FOSUS) to restore volunteer access and clarify shelter operations.

The agreement, approved 6-0, establishes structured volunteer scheduling, background checks and training, programmable key-card access controls, clarified intake responsibilities, and a three-month period of “reasonable efforts” to facilitate adoption before final disposition. It also specifies that CBS, through the Sitka Police Department, will make “reasonable efforts to facilitate adoption for at least three months” and that FOSUS will have first option to adopt animals that reach that threshold at the organization’s expense before euthanasia decisions are made.

Why it matters: The shelter drew widespread public attention after a series of incidents and a subsequent community debate about operations,…