Local humane group urges county MOU and spay/neuter push as county pounds near capacity

Jason Cook, president of the Healthy Hearts and Paws project, told the Trumbull County Board of Commissioners that rising numbers of stray and surrendered animals have overwhelmed local shelter capacity. Cook said his organization recently limited intake, is completing additional kennel space, and asked the county to consider a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU) allowing humane partners to conduct temporary stray holds when the county pound is full.

Cook and commissioners agreed the issue has multiple causes. The board discussed enforcement and revenue options, including better dog‑license collection and using per‑capita assessments from municipalities to fund a countywide pound. Cook suggested offering licensing at vaccine clinics to register dogs and build a database for future enforcement and outreach.

Why it matters: Commissioners said increased shelter demand is primarily a county problem with many intakes originating from the City of Warren; they acknowledged the need to coordinate funding, enforcement and education to ease long‑term pressure on shelter capacity.

Next steps Commissioners asked staff to explore an MOU framework, review dog‑licensing processes and consider partnerships to make licensing and vaccine clinics more accessible. No formal action was taken during the meeting; commissioners and shelter leaders agreed to continue planning and to reconvene with staff on specific proposals.

Attribution: Summary based on public comment by Jason Cook and subsequent discussion with the county dog warden and commissioners.