Grant County humane society reports intake and euthanasia figures; commissioners consider microchipping, licensing changes

Heidi O'Glass, representing the Grant County High Desert Humane Society, gave the board an annual report that included shelter intake, outcome and licensing figures for 2025 and urged the commission to reconsider elements of the current animal‑licensing ordinance.

O'Glass reported total intake of 1,742 animals at the shelter during the year and 622 adoptions. She said the shelter returned 100 animals to owners and that 13.2% of adoptable animals were euthanized because of overcrowding under current operations. The shelter collected $5,823.40 in licensing fees last year and issued about 1,204 spay/neuter coupons to residents.

The shelter director recommended reviewing the county ordinance and exploring microchipping as an alternative or complement to a yearly license tag. She said microchipping at vaccination clinics currently costs $25 and that, by purchasing in bulk and reducing administrative overhead, the shelter could potentially lower the charge to between $10 and $15 per microchip. "Colors get lost, tags get lost. The microchip is implanted in the body," she said, noting a microchip lasts the life of the animal while a tag must be renewed annually.

Commissioners discussed whether microchipping would improve reunification and compliance; one commissioner said mandatory spay/neuter with an exception permit for working animals could reduce shelter intake. Staff noted the shelter already operates a coupon program that covers a large portion of spay/neuter costs for low‑income residents and that monthly advertising and outreach are used to promote adoptions.

No ordinance changes were adopted at the meeting; the shelter offered to help draft revisions and to participate on a committee to update the licensing rules and consider microchipping as a tool for improving outcomes.