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Bracken County ACOs report jump in shelter intakes, new grants expected
Summary
Animal control officers reported 342 dog intakes this past year (up from about 195), rising owner surrenders, and two recent grants (ASPCA $10,000 awarded; a $3,000 spay/neuter grant), with Department of Agriculture funding expected in the fall; the county said it will likely process a budget transfer to cover shelter needs.
Animal control officers Heather Hoenen and Aaron Childers presented the Bracken County animal shelter's annual report and described a marked increase in dog intakes over the past year.
The ACOs said 342 dogs entered the shelter this year compared with roughly 195 the prior year. They told the court that owner surrenders had increased while the number of strays declined, and they described growing cooperation with rescues and out‑of‑state transfers for placed animals. The shelter said it had been awarded a $10,000 grant from the ASPCA and expects a Department of Agriculture spay/neuter grant in the fall (the ACOs noted a typical maximum match of roughly $3,000). The county judge said the shelter's expected grant receipts will likely exceed the budgeted $10,000 and that a positive transfer to the shelter account will be needed.
Court members thanked the ACOs for the work and asked staff to track grant receipts and adjust the budget if needed.
Representative quote
- "I believe there were 342 that came in this past year... About a 195 [last year]." — ACO Heather Hoenen.
Next steps: staff will monitor awards from the Department of Agriculture and process a positive transfer if grant revenues exceed the budgeted amount.
