Animal control managers detail shelter strain, vehicle failures and FY27 budget asks

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Animal Control Commission heard a staff report Feb. 2 on shelter operations, staffing and capital plans that described vehicle failures, overcrowded drop‑off kennels during a January intake surge, and a set of budget requests for fiscal 2027.

Kimberly Embird, speaking for animal control staff, said the department will issue a new request for proposals for veterinary services when its current contract expires and is asking for an additional day of veterinary coverage — ‘‘increased to 4 days per week from our shelter veterinarian’’ — to support higher surgery numbers and to host an at‑cost spay/neuter clinic for the public. Embird also briefed commissioners on staffing needs, saying the department requested two enforcement positions (a supervisor and an additional animal control officer) to move toward six‑day enforcement coverage.

Staff described operational stresses from winter weather and equipment limits. Embird said enforcement was without two patrol trucks for a recent two‑week period and that, for a separate six‑week stretch, only a single animal control vehicle was available for the entire enforcement team. The shortfall included a truck that ‘‘was not operable because we could not maintain humane temperatures in the back of the truck’’ in extreme cold; staff said new vehicles on order will include an inline diesel-style heater (a Webasto heater) to isolate kennel warming from cab heat.

The presentation included intake statistics showing a large January surge. Embird said on Jan. 19 the shelter accepted 44 animals in a single day (compared with an average shelter population around 48), and that 24 animals were simultaneously in the five drop‑off cages — a level staff described as ‘‘grossly overcrowded.’’ She said about 40% of the shelter population is typically housed in foster care, which increases capacity, and thanked growing volunteer and foster participation.

A short video shown by Officer Heck illustrated recent welfare calls involving outdoor birds and small mammals found in poor condition; Heck said responding officers work to stabilize animals and connect owners to services, and noted that sometimes ‘‘when we come across animals that are suffering, there are also people who are suffering.’’

Commissioners pressed staff on several operational details: the new vehicles’ ability to maintain humane temperatures, whether the veterinary RFP could include contingency provisions for surge support, limits on casual employees and volunteers, and practical steps to reduce improper use of drop‑off cages. Staff replied that casual (non‑benefited) employees and trained volunteers are called in during spikes and that the RFP and contracting approach could be refined to allow more surge capacity, though some coordination (for example with emergency operations) must be worked out further.

Separately, commissioners were briefed on capital funding. Staff said assembly sponsors have advanced an ordinance to fund shelter construction; that ordinance is scheduled for a finance committee discussion this week and a public hearing Feb. 12. Staff described the project fund as drawing on previously set‑aside capital funds (the staff presentation cited figures of roughly $16 million and $17 million and noted the need to verify the order of those amounts).

The commission did not take formal votes on budget requests at the meeting; instead commissioners were invited to provide input and to consider drafting recommendations to the assembly. The commission moved on to other agenda items and later scheduled a special meeting for March 9 to follow up on other business.

The commission adjourned at 8:09 p.m.