Clark County’s animal management prices are going up now that the county council has accredited a brand new three-year contract with the Humane Society for Southwest Washington. The council unanimously accredited the brand new contract Tuesday.
As a result of Clark County doesn’t have a municipal animal shelter, the Humane Society for Southwest Washington contracts its providers to Clark County, Vancouver, Washougal, Camas, Ridgefield, Battle Floor and La Middle.
Representatives from the Humane Society offered the brand new charges to the council in September. At that assembly, the native group’s president, Andrea Bruno, stated the county’s current contract couldn’t cowl the Humane Society’s rising prices for offering animal care. She additionally stated the Humane Society had been subsidizing the county’s bills for a number of years via donor contributions.
The earlier contract with the Humane Society was a flat, per animal payment of $300 for 2024, April Furth, director of Neighborhood Improvement, informed the council Tuesday. Furth stated there was additionally a $175 payment per feral or group cat.
The brand new contract has a flat annual quantity, which is billed month-to-month, with extra prices for added providers. In 2025, the county pays $896,367, which is roughly $465 per animal. In 2026 and 2027, the charges improve to $1.02 million and $1.22 million, respectively.
Based on a workers report, the county has been paying for animals present in unincorporated Clark County which might be introduced in by members of the general public and animal management officers. In 2024, the county paid for 1,928 animals, though solely 394 animals have been introduced in by animal management.
The report stated workers might be exploring different choices for lowering the county’s animal management prices. Councilor Michelle Belkot instructed the county may be higher off, a minimum of financially, if it pursued working its personal animal shelter.
“Cowlitz (County) is paying less because they’ve come up with an alternative shelter of their own,” Belkot stated. “In my personal opinion, what we’re paying is ridiculous. There are other counties and commissioners that are coming up with creating their own shelters. Cowlitz County created a shelter using some jail space.”
Councilor Glen Yung stated whereas the brand new charges are costly, prices for veterinary care are going up for everybody, and one thing he skilled firsthand lately when his canine grew to become sick.
“Animals are important to us. That’s why this has become such a large issue,” he stated. “The Humane Society provides a benefit to this community. It’s our due diligence to ensure we’re receiving the services, that we’re doing the things that are required of us and that we’re doing it at the best price possible.”
