Veterinarian urges Warren County to form bi-county municipal animal shelter after contractor refusals

Dr. Kyra Herring, a local veterinarian, told the Warren County Public Safety & Emergency Services Committee that a growing number of animal-abuse and stray-animal cases have overwhelmed current arrangements and that county-contracted providers have declined to accept several animals, at times recommending euthanasia. "I am seeing cases that are hitting me personally, almost on the daily now," Herring said during public comment.

Herring described three cases to illustrate the problem: Khaleesi, a 5-year-old German shepherd whose incarcerated owner said Glen's Falls dog control and the county-contracted SPCA of Upstate New York declined responsibility and recommended euthanasia; Luna, a puppy whose unhoused owner was assaulted and whose presence near a Cumberland Farms in Glens Falls led to the dog being struck by a vehicle; and a third dog (referred to as Navi/Luna) who also lacked a placement option after the owner lost temporary housing. Herring said she took all three animals into her care at personal expense and argued the contractor refusals created public-safety and public-health risks.

Herring urged the committee to pursue a municipal shelter jointly with neighboring Washington County, saying the model should mirror the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, which she said allows multiple municipalities to share infrastructure and animal-welfare services. She also said she has discussed the idea with state-level contacts and advocates, including an attorney she named as Lisa Milo and others working at the state level, and that she has presented the plan already to Washington County.

Herring offered a rough cost estimate for capital costs, calling it an approximate, one‑time figure of "about $40" per household across Warren and Washington counties. She framed the shelter as a way to reduce repeated emergency calls, allow warrants and seizures to proceed more quickly, and enable more effective prosecution of animal-abuse cases. "Warrants can actually be handed out swiftly," she said, arguing the change would reduce burdens on deputies and improve outcomes for animals and residents.

Committee members asked whether Herring had spoken with Washington County; she confirmed she had and said she is working with local advocates including Libby Post and state-level contacts to advance the proposal. There was no formal committee action on the proposal during the meeting.

Herring also criticized the county's contracted provider, saying the SPCA of Upstate New York "didn't do their function" in the three cases and that taxpayer funds and sheriff time were being wasted. The committee did not take a vote on the animal-shelter proposal; the meeting proceeded to other agenda items.

The committee did not reach a decision on Herring's proposal. Herring said she is available to provide templates and budget details for a municipal model and urged local town supervisors to convene in support of a bi-county shelter.