Brain Trust urges licensing push, automation and volunteer 'Dog Squad' to ease Klamath County animal-control strain

Klamath County commissioners heard a 30-minute report from an animal-control Brain Trust on Dec. 3 that urged immediate steps to boost dog-licensing compliance, streamline intake processes with technology and mobilize volunteers to support the shelter and outreach.

The group, led in presentation by Jill Russell and Joe Wall, said the county currently counts roughly 11,000 dog licenses and estimated overall licensing compliance at about 40–50 percent. They argued that because animal control is largely self-funded through licensing and fines, improving compliance and reducing clerical burden are central to sustaining basic services.

"A lot of what we're coming at is efficiencies," Joe Wall told the board, recommending website and mobile upgrades, online forms and automated notification systems to reduce staff time spent on mailings and manual entry. Presenters said automation could be paired with targeted in-person outreach to help residents who lack internet access.

The Brain Trust proposed several concrete steps to raise compliance and reduce shelter pressure: reintroduce free or low-cost vaccination clinics (which feed rabies-vaccination entries into the licensing database), sponsor microchip clinics, simplify the license-fee structure to reduce confusion, and run education and outreach at existing community events.

Presenters described a volunteer program they are calling the "Dog Squad" to support neighborhood outreach and non-enforcement tasks at community events and adoption drives, while stressing volunteers would not perform citation or enforcement duties. "There could be a lot of groundswell support for both animal control, but then largely shelter items as well," Marcio Nunes said during the presentation.

Commissioners and presenters discussed trade-offs in fee policy (examples cited during the meeting included a one-year altered-dog license at $12.50 and a standard fee around $30). Speakers urged caution about raising fees that might reduce voluntary compliance and proposed considering implementation support—temporary consultants or a dedicated coordinator—to ensure recommended changes are put into practice rather than lost amid day-to-day operations.

Presenters also warned commissioners that an unstable or failing shelter could increase county costs and responsibilities if other private or volunteer-run facilities cannot sustain operations. The Brain Trust offered to share its slide deck and recommendations with attendees who leave contact information for staff.

Next steps cited at the meeting included staff follow-up with the sheriff's office (to coordinate animal-control roles), exploring small pilot automation projects, and considering targeted vaccination and microchip events timed to community gatherings.