County officials continue effort to improve animal shelter

The Lincoln County Commissioners’ work on the animal shelter situation continues after another non-profit pulled the plug on operating the facility.

At the Jan. 29 commission meeting, the county announced it received a letter from Kootenai Pets for Life that it was cancelling its contract to run the county animal shelter at the end of February.

The shelter has had ongoing issues which include the volume of animals in the facility, the duration of stays, the condition of the building and now, who will run it.

The Tobacco Valley Animal Shelter ran the shelter for a number of years before it ended its deal with the county July 4, 2024. Kootenai Pets for Life picked up the contract, but it didn’t last long.

County Health Department Director Kathi Hooper said at the meeting that the shelter had 600 animals go through it last year.

“It’s a combination of drop offs and collections by animal control,” Hooper said.

A number of animal neglect or abuse cases have resulted in dozens of animals going through the shelter. Others are because pet owners can’t afford to keep their dog and cats.

At the Jan. 29 meeting, Hooper said the facility had 14 dogs and 20 cats.

District 1 Commissioner Brent Teske is ready to hire a county employee to run the shelter.

“Contracting has been a hassle,” Teske said. “There is no consistency or loyalty.”

At the Feb. 5 meeting, Teske voiced his support for the county taking control of the shelter.

“At one time it was cheaper to contract it out, but not any longer. If we have the control we’re not scrambling every time someone doesn’t want to do it.”

District 2 Commissioner Jim Hammons agreed and made a motion for the county to take control of shelter operations.

District 3 Commissioner Noel Duram agreed, but also said there needs to be an option for north Lincoln County.

The commissioners were unanimous in their support for the county to run the facility.

Hammons also said it was critical for the partnership to continue between the county and Kootenai Pets for Life to conduct spay-neuter clinics.

Teske said the county would begin seeking someone to run the shelter. A part-time person will also be hired.

“Hopefully, we’ll have someone in place by the end of the month when the current contract expires,” Teske said.

Juli Hopfer, who led the creation of KPFL, said she wasn’t against the county running the operation. But she did offer a warning.

“I don’t think you have a grasp of the responsibilities of running it - taking care of the animals, adoptions, there’s a lot of work,” Hopfer said.

County Environmental Health Manager Dustin Webb did share some good news.

He sought and received a letter of support from the commissioners for a $7,500 grant from the Treacy Foundation that will help improve the building.

Webb also explained the $9,500 grant the county got from the LOR Foundation last September to buy and install eight movable outdoor kennel runs, so that the shelter’s animals can safely spend time outside and stay healthy with fewer volunteers.

“We’d like to see a county employee run the shelter and give it some more consistency,” Webb said.

Hammons asked how the shelter is generating revenue.

Webber said the facility has collected impoundment fees, but not for adoptions.

The county also sent a letter to Libby city officials Jan. 28, seeking a donation of one acre of land just south of County Shop Road.

The shelter building is on city property, but to obtain grants to build a new facility, the county must own the property.

In the letter signed by Teske, he wrote, “The current building is beyond repair and does not meet the needs of the shelter. Lincoln County seeks to construct a new, improved facility to better serve the community’s needs.

“The new shelter will provide enhanced services, including improved animal housing, adoption spaces and effective shelter operations. The county is committed to ensuring the facility meets modern standards for animal welfare and public accessibility.

“Additionally, this project will benefit the city by helping to manage the ongoing animal crisis more effectively, improving public safety and animal welfare within the community.”

But Libby City Administrator Sam Sikes voiced concern about a land transfer.

“We may need that property in the future if we need to expand the street shop,” Sikes said. “If the sewer plant has to expand, we may need to build a new shop that has enough parking and we just don’t have any more land.

“I think a land swap would be a better idea,” Sikes said.

From some council members and those in the audience, that sounded like a good idea.

Councilor Kristin Smith said the shelter needs to be supported, but she also had questions.

“The letter from the county didn’t give any deadlines for grants,” she said. “I think we need to write a letter to the county proposing a swap for an equivalent parcel of land. That would be better than waiting until the next council meeting,” Smith said.

Mayor Peggy Williams said she went to the county last year about the issue and, “they didn’t want to talk about it.”

Councilor Melissa Berke said she was in favor of a land swap.