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Heard County delays decision on Roanoke animal transfer amid shelter infestation and cost concerns
Summary
The Board reviewed a City of Roanoke request to accept 5'10 animals per month for $10,000 annually but expressed concern that the payment would not cover care costs; staff reported a rat infestation that would cost an estimated $20,000 per week to address if animals were relocated for cleaning, so the board agreed to wait until shelter population decreased.
At the May 19 work session commissioners considered a request from the City of Roanoke for Heard County to accept 5'10 animals per month in exchange for a $10,000 annual contribution.
Commissioners expressed concern that the $10,000 payment would not cover the cost of housing, feeding and veterinary care for animals transferred under the proposal and asked staff to calculate the county's per-day cost of animal care. Staff reported the county shelter is contending with a significant rat infestation; relocating all animals to an outside facility for cleaning and extermination would cost approximately $20,000 per week. Because of that expense, the board agreed to wait until the shelter population decreased before committing to a transfer program.
Staff said only a few dogs remained in the facility and the Humane Society agreed to take the remaining cats; a transport flight is scheduled to remove the last dogs the upcoming weekend. The board asked staff to provide cost estimates and to return the Roanoke request for further consideration when shelter capacity and costs are clearer.
