Animal‑welfare group asks Greene County for fairgrounds property to build companion shelter

Mark Orley, speaking for the Greene County Animal Alliance on May 6, asked legislators to consider conveying roughly five acres at the county fairgrounds so the group can build a companion animal shelter. Orley said the Alliance can offer $75,000 for the site and that owning property is a prerequisite for many capital grants and renovations. "You can't get anybody to fund a dream, but they will fund renovation, site prep and building if you have the property," Orley said.

Orley described shifting regional dynamics — a nearby county organization is opening a new 10,000‑square‑foot facility with veterinary and boarding services — and said local residents are currently traveling outside Greene County to access veterinary care and animal-control services. He said the planned site could co‑locate with other fairgrounds uses and would allow on‑site rabies clinics and animal-control support.

Orley provided a strategic plan and capital campaign outline and requested county consideration of property transfer rather than direct cash support; Alliance leaders said they are not asking for operating funds. He said the group had raised six‑figure sums to date but needs property to move forward and suggested the mental‑health facility planned for part of the fairgrounds may leave a suitable parcel available.

Legislators asked clarifying questions about site readiness, financing and how the shelter would coordinate with county animal-control duties; Orley said the Alliance would pursue state and private grants and work with neighboring rescue organizations to deliver veterinary services on site. The committee did not take a final vote on property transfer during the meeting.