Carbon County shelter approves request to ask commissioners for fenced dog play area; reviews repairs and donations

The Carbon County Animal Shelter Advisory Commission on June 3 voted to forward a proposal to county commissioners asking that the shelter be allowed to create a fenced, staff‑supervised outdoor play area for shelter dogs.

The commission also heard the shelter director's monthly report, reviewed pending facility repairs including a leaking roof and a shed project, and acknowledged recent donations of food, supplies and funds used to purchase kennel doors.

The fenced play area proposal would use donated funds and be limited to shelter dogs and staff rather than being open to the public. The commission agreed to sign and send a letter to the commissioners asking them to consider the request. "It would be nice to have it finished up and to be able to use it," the chairman said during discussion of using donated money and local contractors. The commission voted, and the motion to forward the proposal was approved.

Tom, the shelter director, gave the monthly operational report. For April he reported 16 kennels, 22 dogs at the start of the month and 16 at the end; seven adoptions; one owner surrender; eight returned-to-owner; 22 dogs housed at peak; seven police calls and six after‑hours calls. For May he reported 16 kennels, 16 dogs at the start and 15 at the end; nine adoptions; two owner surrenders; four returned‑to‑owner; nine dogs housed instead of sheltering elsewhere; peak census 18; 11 police calls and nine after‑hours calls. Tom said, "We did have an application come down, so we're gonna be calling and speaking to that person," referring to a vacancy for a part‑time K‑9 officer.

Donations accounted for a significant portion of consumables. Tom said a FreshPak donation provided a pallet of dog food: $2,736 in food donations for the earlier month and $5,141 for May. Supply donations were listed at $20,091 (earlier month) and $2,658 (May) for items such as bags, bleach and laundry detergent. The commission noted the kennel door order has been placed for the final three doors.

Facility items discussed included a shed repair project (commissioners were asked to consider soliciting bids and using donated materials), a ceiling leak in the kennel area producing a small mold spot that needs repair, and pending installation of cameras; staff reported the contractor inspected the site and installation is awaiting scheduling. The commission also reported having requested county approval to run a yard sale to raise funds and discussed seeking a temporary storage unit if needed.

During new business the commission noted a local Eagle Scout candidate has proposed building an outdoor donation box; the commission sent the candidate's proposal to the commissioners for approval to proceed. The commission also thanked the Times News for recent coverage of kennel doors and the memorial garden.

The meeting opened and closed with routine procedural votes: approval of April minutes and corrected February 2025 minutes; the commission adjourned after setting the next meeting for August 2025 at 6 p.m. at 44 Susquehanna Street.

Votes at a glance: April minutes — motion made and seconded; approved by the commission. February 2025 minutes (date correction) — motion made and seconded; approved. Request to forward fenced dog play area proposal to county commissioners — motion made and seconded; approved. Adjournment — motion made and seconded; approved.