Residents urge Taos County to contract with Stray Hearts for animal welfare response

Public commenters at the Taos County Commission meeting on July 21 urged the county to secure a contract with Stray Hearts to handle animal control and sheltering needs. Elizabeth Fairbanks Sandoval Wilson (who said she goes by Ellis), a volunteer and social‑work professional, told commissioners she and local deputies and nonprofits are already doing the work because the county currently has no comprehensive animal‑welfare contract.

"Stray Hearts is doing your work for free," Ellis said, and asked the commission not to "look away" from ongoing animal welfare problems in Penasco and elsewhere. Eddie Randy Tafoya, a North Sarco resident, described seeing neglect and said it is "disheartening that a county like Taos doesn't have the services provided for these four‑legged animals that are very vulnerable." Both speakers asked the commission to act and offered the nonprofit option as a cost‑saving alternative to building and staffing a county shelter.

Commissioners and staff later discussed the animal‑control procurement in the county manager's report. County procurement staff said the animal‑control services contract was put out as an RFP and that the evaluation committee is in the middle of the review. Procurement staff emphasized that questions about an active RFP must be routed through procurement so all vendors receive the same information; staff said they expect a recommendation at the next commission meeting.

The statements at the public‑comment period did not include a formal motion; commissioners acknowledged the concerns and staff said they will continue the RFP evaluation and report back.