Davis County approves animal-shelter authority to solicit restaurant donations

Michelle Hicks, representing Davis County Animal Care, asked the Board of Commissioners on May 12 to grant standing authorization for her department to pursue charitable partnerships with for-profit restaurants, including P.F. Chang’s, Cafe Zupas and Chick-fil-A, to raise a dedicated medical fund for shelter animals.

The request, presented during the commission’s regular meeting, was introduced by Hicks as a tool to “build and maintain a dedicated medical fund” to cover veterinary care and improve animals’ quality of life while they await adoption. After a brief exchange, a commissioner moved to approve the standing authorization and the chair seconded. The commission voted by voice and the chair recorded the approval as unanimous.

The authorization allows Animal Care to solicit dine-to-donate events and similar fundraising arrangements; the department said the medical fund would be used to ensure appropriate care for animals prior to adoption. No dollar amounts, specific partnership terms or start dates were given during the presentation.

The commission’s action was procedural and advisory: it authorizes solicitation activity but does not itself appropriate county funds to the medical fund. The department will proceed to engage local businesses under the newly approved authorization.