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Everman pursues new animal shelter after volunteers, grants boost live‑release rate
Summary
City Manager Craig Spencer said Everman and Forest Hill’s regional municipal animal services have raised live‑release rates above 80% and that council has directed staff to pursue grant funding — including a USDA program purported to fund 75% of a new shelter estimated at roughly $1.5–$1.8 million.
At a town hall, City Manager Craig Spencer said the City of Everman is moving to expand municipal animal services after years of limited capacity. Spencer named Ray Renschler as the lead animal control officer and said the recent regional partnership with Forest Hill has increased the combined live‑release rate to above 80 percent.
Spencer said city council recently directed staff to pursue grant funding and noted that concept designs for a new shelter returned costs between about $1.5 million and $1.8 million. He said staff believes it has preapproval to apply for a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant that could cover roughly 75 percent of the project, leaving the city responsible for about 25 percent if awarded. Spencer described interim steps — adding 6 kennels in the short term subject to state compliance and proposing a mobile adoption trailer for budget consideration — and stressed volunteer recruitment and social media outreach to increase adoptions.
Why it matters: City officials said capacity limits have constrained outcomes and that a new shelter, plus more outreach and temporary kennel expansion, could reduce euthanasia and improve animal welfare. Spencer said municipal animal services will be a budget priority alongside fire and other staffing needs.
What council directed: Spencer said council authorized staff to pursue grant opportunities for a new shelter and that a mobile adoption trailer request will likely go before council during the budget cycle. He invited attendees to speak with Ray Renschler and other staff at the meeting for follow‑up.
