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Colfax council to limit city intake of cats in draft Humane Society contract
Summary
Council reviewed a revised 2026 Humane Society contract that would bar the city from delivering cats to the shelter except when injured or too small; staff will retain a short hold for found dogs while trying to locate owners and will have the city attorney review the contract before sending it to the Humane Society.
The Colfax City Council reviewed a revised draft of the 2026 Humane Society contract that updates intake policy for animals. Under the proposal, the city would not accept cats except when they are injured or too small to care for themselves; Hammer said the change is intended to reflect current practice and avoid the city becoming responsible for costs when citizens turn in cats. Hammer said the city will continue to take in dogs for a short period while staff attempt to locate owners and that notices of found dogs are posted on Facebook.
Hammer told the council he will have Attorney Hannah Kimball review the contract before it is sent to the Humane Society. The draft also includes a provision for the Humane Society to notify the city when animals are turned into their facility so city staff can assist in locating owners. The council did not adopt the contract at the meeting; the item remained under unfinished business pending legal review.
Why it matters: The draft narrows municipal responsibility for stray cats while preserving a short reunification window for dogs, which affects residents who find or surrender animals and the Humane Society’s intake burden.
What’s next: City staff will obtain legal review from Attorney Hannah Kimball before transmitting the draft to the Humane Society for consideration.
