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Animal Sheltering Services

At a glance

  • What: Council reviewing animal sheltering service options following July 6 direction to request proposals. Options: continue current City operation, negotiate submitted proposals (Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter, K9 Hope Brokers), expand City services, use fee-for-service arrangements, pursue City-County partnership, improve licensing/reunification, revise ordinances.
  • Where it stands: Committee formed October 5 to develop options and return with recommendation within approximately 30 days. Proposed providers and service models remain under consideration.
  • Why it matters: Current operational challenges include shelter reluctance to accept Animal Control transfers, cost pressures, and questions about compliance with City code duties.

Options Evaluated

Interim Police Chief Mayo examined request for proposals following Council's July 6 direction:

Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter

  • Reduced services option: within City's budget
  • Full requested services: approximately $6,400 above budget
  • Combined animal control and shelter operation option

K9 Hope Brokers

  • Full requested services offered
  • Cost: approximately $1,500 above budget

City-Operated Sheltering

  • Limited operation: estimated approximately $212,000 annually
    • Would serve only small number of animals
    • Would depend on other shelters accepting transfers
    • Would likely increase euthanasia rate
  • More complete operation: would require substantially more staff and expense

Assistant City Attorney Pavuk explained that City ordinances create duties concerning:

  • Animals at large
  • Impoundment
  • Quarantine

Limited City model would require code changes.

Police Chief Mayo indicated local shelters have recently been reluctant to accept animals transferred by Animal Control.

Council Discussion

  • Whether to negotiate submitted proposals
  • Whether to continue current City operation
  • Whether to expand City services
  • Whether to use fee-for-service arrangement with shelters
  • Whether to pursue City-County partnership
  • Whether to improve licensing and reunification
  • Whether to revise ordinances
  • Concerns about cost and capacity if animal intake rises
  • Concerns about likely euthanasia rate under limited option
  • Question of whether current practice satisfies City code
  • Emphasis on vaccination, spay and neuter programs
  • Recognition of existing shelters' work
  • Note that current animal control budget and shelter contract appropriation must be considered together

Public Comment (September 21, 2026)

  • Corbett Skinner spoke about Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter's veterinary care, reunification and adoption work, and fundraising for new facility. Urged City to recognize the shelter's role and funding needs.
  • Tina Gaspar, K9 Hope Brokers, described high cost of spay and neuter services and staffing and funding needed to care for animals.
  • Garth Howley supported prevention and efforts to keep animals out of shelters but cautioned that limited City model and reliance on volunteers could be insufficient.
  • Kaitlin Laddinsaw asked Council to account for small animals, including pets abandoned in apartments, when defining future shelter services.

Committee Formation (September 21, 2026)

Consensus to form committee led by Interim City Administrator to develop options and return with recommendation within approximately 30 days.

Committee members:

  • Kevin Iffland (Interim City Administrator, chair)
  • Councilmember Pitman
  • Councilmember Lindley
  • Councilmember Neese
  • Councilmember Shaw
  • Mayor Nelson

Status: Two proposals remained under consideration; Council did not select provider or approve contract at work session.

Sources

Log

2026-09-21 - City Council Work Session

Police Chief Mayo reviewed animal sheltering RFP responses: Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter (reduced/full service and combined options), K9 Hope Brokers (full service). City-operated options examined: limited ($212,000/year) or more complete operation. Assistant City Attorney Pavuk noted City ordinances create duties; limited model would require code changes. Council discussed whether to negotiate proposals, continue City operation, expand, use fee-for-service, pursue City-County partnership, improve licensing/reunification, revise ordinances. Concerns raised about cost, capacity, euthanasia rates, compliance with code. Corbett Skinner (Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter), Tina Gaspar (K9 Hope Brokers), Garth Howley, and Kaitlin Laddinsaw provided public comment. Committee formed ({{cite | Pitman, Lindley, Neese, Shaw, Mayor Nelson) to return with recommendation in approximately 30 days.

2026-11-02 - City Council Work Session

Agenda item 3, "Animal Sheltering Services - Committee Recommendations". All unanimous voice votes: Boyett and Pitman moved to limit City-funded services to dogs at large, dangerous dogs, injured dogs, court-ordered holds, and lost or abandoned dogs. Neese and Pitman moved to continue the RFP committee process, with the contract returning to Council. Boyett and Neese moved to consider contractor use of a City facility. Lindley and Nicholson moved to put a proposed month-to-month Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter agreement on the November 23 consent agenda (this does not approve it). Source: posted work-session summary.