Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Animal Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Milton to adopt its own animal code, end Metro contract and partner with Pierce County Humane Society, chief says
Summary
Police Chief Hernandez said the city will adopt its own animal code, discontinue the Metro Services contract, take animal services largely in-house with trained officers and use the Pierce County Humane Society for intake; he estimated about $80,000 in savings but acknowledged some costs will shift to owners.
Police Chief Hernandez told council the city will move to adopt a local animal code — replacing references to Sumner — and discontinue the existing contract with Metro Services. The change, he said, will allow the city to create its own fee schedule and save roughly $80,000 annually by taking services in-house while partnering with the Pierce County Humane Society to accept impounded or surrendered animals.
"We can save the city about $80,000 by taking the services inhouse," Chief Hernandez said, adding that the department already has two officers trained for cruelty investigations and that the city maintains a small kennel for temporary holding. He said the Humane Society, located in Tacoma, will accept 24-hour drop-offs and will apply the city's code when processing animals from Milton.
Council Member Whan raised a question about whether those savings translate directly into lower costs for the city, noting that owners may incur higher fees when reclaiming animals. Chief Hernandez replied that some costs will shift to owners rather than being subsidized by the city; he also said the department has planned for handling drop-offs and staffing to transfer animals to the Humane Society.
