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Shelton council hears proposal to contract animal shelter operations to Humane Society of Mason County
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Summary
The Humane Society of Mason County offered to operate Shelton's animal shelter and animal control under a proposed three-year contract with a 70% city cost share; councilors requested cost comparisons, contract terms and metrics but did not vote.
Shelton city officials on Dec. 9 heard a proposal from the Humane Society of Mason County (HSMC) to operate the city's animal shelter and provide animal control services under a contract that staff said could reduce the city's costs and expand veterinary and adoption capacity.
Katherine Johnson, executive director of HSMC, told the council the nonprofit runs a staffed shelter, a veterinary clinic and a foster-and-adoption network that together could shorten dogs' average stays, accelerate reclaims and transfers, and provide on-site medical care. "We are offering to basically take everything off of your plates for a full contract," Johnson said, describing intake protocols, veterinary staff, foster coordination and a social-media-driven adoption program.
City staff presented the condition of Shelton's shelter at 902 West Pine, citing eight regular kennels and four quarantine kennels, recent roof and HVAC repairs, but dated interior features, security gaps and unreliable drains. Staff also said the city currently lacks a dedicated animal control officer and relies on a lead shelter technician, four part-time technicians and occasional support from police and code enforcement. City staff reported average length of stay rose to 48 days in 2025 (from about 15 days in 2024), and year-to-date calls for animal services through MACECOM totaled 386 in 2025.
HSMC proposed a financial model that its representatives estimated would run "over $300,000 a year" in operating expenses and asked the city to consider contributing about 70% of that cost. Councilors and staff discussed that Shelton's current shelter budget is roughly $258,000 for the year; one councilor said the city's current annual cost was about $250,000. A councilor noted the proposal included an initial estimate of a $56,000 first-year savings, and the council asked for a formal cost-comparison between contracting with outside agencies and maintaining or expanding in-house services.
Council members asked practical questions about contract length, capacity and transition. HSMC recommended starting with a three-year contract and a phased transition so staffing and services would ramp up without leaving a service gap. Johnson said HSMC projects roughly 140 intakes annually with about 50 owner reclaims and that its existing foster and transfer networks and on-site veterinary capacity would help reduce average shelter stays.
Councilors raised liability and local-policy issues, including Shelton Municipal Code 7.04 (pet animals) and a 2022 ordinance referenced by staff. Staff read the city's reclaim procedure aloud, noting owners have three business days to reclaim impounded animals after owner notification; after that period the city may transfer suitable animals to a registered nonprofit or, if not suitable for adoption, authorize euthanasia by a licensed veterinarian. Councilors said they would review the euthanasia language and other ordinance edits as part of any contract discussions.
Multiple councilors expressed support for pursuing an agreement and asked staff to draft contract terms, provide a cost-comparison and propose metrics and review points for the council. The session ended with no formal vote; staff said it would return with contract language and a timeline for further consideration.
