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Public commenter raises animal-shelter crowding and kennel-cough concerns; commissioners urge volunteer support
Summary
A longtime volunteer told commissioners the county shelter was crowded—94 dogs in kennel, 74 in foster, 116 cats in cattery—and reported an outbreak of kennel cough among dogs; commissioners thanked volunteers and urged community support while noting work toward a new shelter.
At the Aug. 20 meeting, Jackie Osborne provided a public comment updating the Board on conditions at Nassau County Animal Services. Osborne reported current counts of animals in care and said staff reported a kennel-cough outbreak in a kennel adjacent to the administrative offices.
"This morning's count, we have 94 dogs in the kennel, 74 dogs are in foster. In the cattery... 116 cats in the cattery, 57 in foster," Osborne said, and described recent kitten-intake cases and treatment she has coordinated with foster volunteers. She urged residents to spay and neuter pets, to consider fostering and to support the shelter’s adoption programs and new facility plans.
Commissioners responded with thanks and several urged volunteers and residents to help by walking dogs, fostering or donating. Commissioner McCullough and others noted recent adoption events and partnerships with local nonprofits and said the board and staff are working to complete a new animal shelter.
No formal action was taken during the meeting on the shelter; commissioners encouraged continued community support and said county staff are pursuing facility improvements.
