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Volunteers and residents press Clermont County over shelter conditions; commissioners authorize kennel transfers
Summary
Dozens of public commenters urged Clermont County officials to address alleged overcrowding, medical neglect and volunteer restrictions at the county animal shelter; commissioners approved a policy giving the kennel administrator discretion to transfer adoptable dogs to registered nonprofit rescue partners after a 72‑hour hold.
Dozens of volunteers and residents told the Clermont County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 16 that conditions at the county animal shelter have deteriorated and that the board must act immediately to protect animals.
“The shelter is severely overcapacity,” volunteer Stephanie Freeborn said during public participation, accusing shelter management of “medically neglecting the animals” and saying volunteers were blocked from moving dogs into rescues. Freeborn also singled out a dog named Bordeaux, saying the animal had been allowed to injure herself by repeatedly biting her crate door.
Several other speakers described long-standing problems and urged quicker action. Larissa Gottschlich said the county had seen recurring issues “for the past 3 and a half years” and asked why commissioners had not acted sooner. A letter read on behalf of a former staff member, Anne Dammer, defended Chief Dog Warden Tim Pappas and credited him with volunteer training, a pet food pantry and other shelter improvements.
County staff and the board said decisions about individual transfers are constrained by paperwork and court requirements. Angie Livesay, appearing from the shelter by video, told the board that some animals (including Bordeaux) were already in behavioral foster homes and that transfers sometimes require additional documentation before they can be completed.
After extended public comment, the board approved item 21 on the non‑consent agenda, which authorizes the kennel administrator—or the administrator’s designee—to “periodically authorize the transfer of ownership of dogs available for adoption from the Clermont County Animal Shelter to local nonprofit organizations” after a minimum 72‑hour holding period and in compliance with Chapter 955 of the Ohio Revised Code. The motion passed on roll call with Commissioners Bachelor, Corcoran and Painter voting in the affirmative.
Commissioners acknowledged the strain that recent intakes placed on kennel capacity. “When you take in 39 dogs from a particular place… you have to house them,” the chair said during member comments, while also thanking shelter staff and volunteers for their work and noting ongoing hiring efforts and open requisitions for additional personnel.
The board also instructed staff to continue reviewing the county’s procurement and contracting approach for the shelter, including a previously drafted bid packet for a humane society operator and clarifications about who is responsible for facility upkeep and staffing. Commissioners said they would pursue solutions that balance animal welfare, legal/court requirements and compliance with state law.
Next steps: the kennel transfer authority is now in place; the board signaled continued follow-up on staffing requests, procurement and the ongoing dialogue with volunteers and rescue partners.
