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Trenton approves emergency payment for dog boarding, amends language to specify Aug–Dec 2024 period
Summary
Council amended and approved an emergency payment to Yardley Animal Kennels for boarding overflow shelter dogs and directed procurement of a competitive contract for future animal-boarding services.
Trenton City Council on Feb. 4 approved an amended emergency payment of up to $246,400 to Yardley Animal Kennels to cover emergency dog-boarding costs for the city shelter for the period Aug. 2024 through Dec. 2024.
Why it matters: The city’s shelter has been operating over capacity this winter; council and administration said the payment covers boarding already provided while the Columbus shelter site is brought into service. Council directed administration to advertise a competitive contract for future boarding services.
City health officials and the director of Health and Human Services described progress: Dr. Diego Minocapelli said the Columbus shelter location is being brought up to code and that the city hopes it will be operational within about three months. He also said the city has placed multiple animals in adoptions since Jan. 1 and that volunteer and community groups have helped with promotion and placement.
Council members amended the payment resolution on the floor to make the period covered explicit. Councilwoman Feliciano moved to change the resolution’s title and whereas language to read that the payment was “for emergency dog boarding services for the city of Trenton Bridal Shelter from August 2024 to December 2024 in an amount not to exceed $246,400.” The motion to amend was seconded and passed by roll call.
Administration said a procurement specification for boarding services has been submitted and advertised so the city can secure a contracted vendor and reduce reliance on ad hoc emergency boarding. Business Administrator Maria Richardson confirmed specifications were being advertised.
Outcome: The amendment and resolution carried on roll call. Council asked administration to return with procurement results and to keep moving toward opening the Columbus kennel; staff estimated a two-week transition once Columbus is permitted and operational so animals can be transferred from private kennels to the municipal site.
Details: During discussion council members described recent placement numbers and that the shelter population had fallen to the low 90s. Council members also sought clearer line-item language for accounting; the council amended the resolution so that the payment is clearly identified as covering Aug.–Dec. 2024 boarding services.
