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Clermont County temporarily halves dog adoption fees as shelter population spikes
Summary
The Board of Clermont County Commissioners adopted a temporary fee cut, lowering county-imposed adoption fees for dogs 12 months and older from $120 to $60 for March 5–31, 2025, citing an unusually high shelter population; shelter staff and multiple public commenters urged increased transparency and collaboration.
The Clermont County Board of Commissioners on March 5 adopted Resolution Number 020-25 temporarily lowering county-imposed dog adoption fees for dogs aged 12 months and older from $120.00 to $60.00 for adoptions occurring March 5 through March 31, 2025, to address an unusually high number of dogs being housed at the county shelter. The motion passed with Commissioners Corcoran, Batchler and Painter voting yes.
"The adoption fee will be lowered from $120.00 to $60.00 through March 31, 2025," Ms. Livesay, a shelter staff member, told the Board when the item was presented. The fee change follows a series of public comments at the meeting from residents concerned about shelter operations, transparency and volunteer relations. Public commenter Jody Wilson said she had come "for the dogs" and criticized the Board's transparency, saying on the record that "Commissioner Painter is an idiot," a direct quote recorded in the meeting transcript.
Multiple public speakers raised related concerns. Julie Tolliver thanked the League for Animal Welfare for engaging with the Board and criticized a news article she said cast volunteers negatively. Tracy Hawkins urged collaborative, community-based solutions for shelter management. Chris Hicks pressed the Board on broader county governance concerns during public comment, presenting an "Elected Official Honor Pledge" that the Board declined to sign.
The resolution cites Section 955 of the Ohio Revised Code as authorizing county-imposed dog adoption fees. The adoption-fee reduction is temporary; the County will resume prior fees after March 31 unless the Board acts again. Shelter staff said the reduction is intended to increase adoptions and relieve capacity pressures; no additional funding or staffing changes were adopted at the March 5 session.
