Mohave County staff presented a proposed fee schedule Jan. 5 for the county animal shelter intended to reduce pressure on county resources after a sharp rise in surrendered litters. Rescue groups and residents urged caution, and the board voted to continue the item to the first meeting in March to allow staff to provide benchmarking and alternative options.

Friends of Mohave County and other rescue organizations described severe intake volumes: "In 2025 alone, our shelter has received 1,083 surrendered puppies," a Friends representative told the board. Rescuers warned that a surrender fee could increase abandonment in the desert and overload volunteer rescue networks. Several speakers recommended pairing any fee with a spay/neuter verification waiver (for example, waive fees if the owner provides proof that the mother has been spayed) and stronger enforcement against backyard breeding.

Staff and the county manager said the shelter is funded from the general fund and is operating at a deficit; the shelter manager gave an FY25 shortfall estimate of roughly $450,000 and explained grants and Friends-group reimbursements that have covered medical and supply costs. Staff estimated a modest adoption-fee increase could yield an additional $28,000to35,000 next year; a $10 intake fee on all animal surrenders had a similar projection if intake volumes behave as estimated. The board asked staff to return with fee comparisons from peer counties and recommended alternatives such as raising adoption fees or first-impound-availability waivers before imposing a surrender fee on Good Samaritans.

Next steps: Staff will benchmark neighboring county and city fee schedules, develop combinations of options (adoption-fee increases, intake fees, waivers tied to proof of sterilization, expanded voucher programs), and return with a written proposal at the March meeting.