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Residents and volunteers accuse Clermont County shelter of neglect; commissioners lower adoption fees and direct staff to explore options
Summary
Public commenters told the Clermont County Board of Commissioners that illnesses and overcrowding are 'rampant' at the county animal shelter; the board temporarily reduced dog adoption fees, discussed outsourcing options and directed staff follow-up on complaints and a potential RFP.
Public comment at the Clermont County Board of Commissioners’ Oct. 9 meeting centered on the county animal shelter, with residents and volunteers sharply criticizing staffing levels and animal care and urging health‑department intervention. Commissioners responded by approving a temporary adoption‑fee reduction and asking staff to examine options, including soliciting bids to run the shelter.
Stephanie Freeborn, who gave her address as 2517 State Route 222 in New Richmond, said disease was "rampant" at the shelter and alleged there were "a total of 81 dogs that are currently on‑site," including 38 animals from a hoarding case. "The 3 of you are personally responsible for this," Freeborn said, urging the sheriff and the Clermont County Board of Health to become involved.
Chris Hicks, who said he had researched past shelter operators, accused staff of mischaracterizing the prior operator and asked commissioners to allow him to film the shelter after the meeting. Hicks also said he would organize a public campaign before the Nov. 2 election to signal dissatisfaction with current leadership and asked commissioners to discuss putting the shelter contract out to bid.
In response, commissioners and staff acknowledged the public concerns and took two formal steps during the meeting. The board adopted Resolution No. 127‑24 to temporarily lower county dog adoption fees for dogs aged 12 months and older from Oct. 9 through Oct. 31, 2024, citing authority in the Ohio Revised Code. Commissioners also reiterated prior discussion about outsourcing shelter operations and directed county staff to explore what an RFP and competitive contracting process would require.
Commissioners and staff made several clarifying points on the record: the county previously contracted shelter operations to nonprofit operators (named in discussion as Clermont to the Rescue and CARES), later resumed direct operation when a contract could not be reached, and any future contract would have to be competitively procured. The board asked county administration (staff identified on the record as "Tom") to follow up on individual complaints raised by speakers and to report back.
The meeting did not produce new staffing commitments or an immediate outside contract; rather, the board set procedural next steps — the temporary fee reduction is effective for the stated dates, and staff were directed to explore options and report findings for possible future action.
What happens next: staff follow‑up on individual complaints and a potential RFP for shelter operations were directed by the commissioners; the Board of Health and the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office were specifically referenced by speakers as agencies they expected to involve.
