Cheryl Shaver told the Wythe County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 25 that she had been told by shelter staff that a boxer posted for adoption "was mine" and that she would be first on the list, but that the dog was later transferred to a rescue without her knowledge. Shaver said she first contacted the county shelter after an email posting on Nov. 17 and submitted an application the next day.

"They stopped receiving people at 3 p.m., and as I am an in-home business I had an appointment and was not able to get it on the 17th," Shaver told the board. She said shelter staff told her she was first when the application was received and again when it was delivered in person, but that a rescue later contacted the shelter and removed the dog. She said a shelter employee — identified in her remarks as "Mr. Blanchett" — told her he had not seen her application and questioned whether she would qualify. Shaver said she asked staff to call the rescue and explain the apparent mistake; she said the request was refused.

Shaver recommended the board "pause all action" until the shelter provides explanation and the rescue's identity. In her remarks she flagged five concerns: possible deviation from county adoption policy; lack of transparency in decision-making; a claimed failure to follow "VA code 2.2-3700"; possible improper rescue-transfer arrangements; and potential inconsistent or discriminatory practices.

Chair asked Stephen Baer (county staff) to follow up with Shaver and report the outcome. Board member Miss Lawson said staff had already provided contact information for the rescue and that staff would attempt follow-up the next day. Deputy County Administrator Matt Hankins confirmed staff would pursue additional follow-up between the rescue and Shaver.

The board did not take a formal vote on the shelter matter during the meeting; the discussion ended with staff agreeing to contact the rescue and Ms. Shaver to seek a time-sensitive resolution.