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Animal shelter officials report steady intakes; nonprofit BKANE outlines fundraising and spay/neuter support
Summary
Shelter directors reported 195 dog intakes and operational improvements; Bracken County Animals in Need (BKANE) pledged ongoing financial and program support, including funds toward vet bills and spay/neuter campaigns. Magistrates discussed cameras, microchips and provider pricing to reduce costs.
Bracken County animal shelter staff and volunteers briefed the Fiscal Court on operations, finances and community partnerships on Sept. 24. Aaron Childers and Director Heather Honan reported that in fiscal year 2024‑25 the shelter took in 195 dogs and rehomed 182, and that daily Facebook updates and foster placements have helped move animals through the system.
The court reviewed shelter veterinary costs: recorded county fiscal court vet expense was $5,632.25 (through June 30), while one section of the report lists total veterinary bills for the shelter at $28,384 with $22,752.52 in donations (the latter figure excludes donations made directly to veterinarians). Staff and magistrates discussed measures to reduce illegal drop‑offs (signage and cameras were proposed) and to improve reunification through microchips.
Shannon Smith, president of Bracken County Animals in Need (BKANE), described the nonprofit’s volunteer fundraising and disbursements. BKANE reported covering about $2,600 in supplies in 2024, contributing roughly $13,000 toward shelter vet bills, and funding spay/neuter services (the transcript records $8,800 for 77 cats though the numeric readout is ambiguous and will be confirmed by BKANE). Smith said BKANE operates entirely on fundraising and volunteer work, including a thrift store and community events, and that she expects Kentucky Humane Society mobile spay/neuter clinic slots in October to help residents.
Magistrates asked shelter staff to compare veterinary providers and pricing (Ewing/First Choice, Colonial, Town and Country, Fleming County Animal Hospital) to identify cost savings and potential group rates. Staff agreed to obtain price lists and return with comparisons. The court also discussed a vendor quote for cameras at the shelter’s drop area and asked staff to bring that cost back to the next meeting for formal consideration.
Next steps: staff will gather provider pricing, circulate the camera quote for committee review, and BKANE will continue coordinating spay/neuter slots and fundraising events.
