Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Animal Services Merger topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Former board members and High Country Humane leaders defend animal‑services merger at supervisors meeting
Summary
Speakers during the public-comment period defended the recent merger that consolidated local animal services under High Country Humane, countering social‑media accusations and describing operational changes and centralized intake at the Highway 89 campus.
Several speakers used the meeting’s public-comment period on June 9 to defend the recent consolidation of county animal services with High Country Humane (HCH) and to push back against claims circulating on social media.
Diane Jarvis, a former Paw Placement board member, said she had not participated in the merger but supports it as an animal-advocate: "In my wildest dreams I never once thought of a merger with Coconino Humane Association as a remote possibility. And yet, here we are. ... The commitment to the highest standards of care has never wavered," Jarvis said, addressing accusations that animals were being mistreated.
Kim, chair of High Country Humane, told the board she and HCH engaged with the county for months and emphasized continuity of services and programs across both campuses. She said intake will be centralized at the Highway 89 campus so every animal receives a full medical workup before transfer to the Butler campus when appropriate. "We are proud to serve Coconino County and the city of Flagstaff," Kim said, and invited supervisors to visit staff and facilities.
Both speakers said scheduled programs (adoptions, youth camps and food-bank partnerships) will continue and that the merger strengthens operational and financial capacity. Board members thanked the speakers and noted the administration will coordinate site visits for supervisors to see operations firsthand.
