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Animal shelter requests budget change after emergency vet care saved dog 'Drax'
Summary
Animal Services representative described a rattlesnake bite case (dog 'Drax') and asked commissioners to approve a budget adjustment to continue emergency veterinary funding; the Commission later approved a separate $10,000 Best Friends grant allocation into the FY26 budget.
At the start of the meeting, Luke Fields, speaking for the Animal Shelter, used a recent emergency case to press for continued funding for emergency veterinary care. Fields described a dog named "Drax" who was bitten by a rattlesnake and required emergency transport and treatment; he credited the Rachel Ray grant with covering lifesaving care and said he would request a budget adjustment to keep such services funded.
County Manager Jordan Barela later presented Resolution No. 2026-16 to incorporate a $10,000 Best Friends grant into the FY26 budget so the Animal Services Department could access the award. The Commission approved Resolution 2026-16 by roll call (Schwebach, McCall, Jaramillo voting yes). "Putting a face to the budget request," Fields urged the commissioners to authorize the additional funding so professional services contracts could continue covering emergency veterinary care.
Fields also reported a shelter infrastructure issue and secured repair funding: a damaged wall requiring contractor work and site prep; he thanked Leonard from the Road Department for site support. The approved budget adjustment will allow the department to access the grant funds and proceed with contracted repairs and emergency-care services.
