Health and Welfare Committee Meeting May 8th

**Summary of the Health and Welfare Committee Meeting – May 8th**During the meeting on May 8th, the committee reviewed significant developments from April, where the health department administered 67 vaccines and facilitated 2,548 visits from 2,753 clients. A groundbreaking ceremony for a new health department location is scheduled for May 12 at 11:30 AM.The animal shelter provided an update on its April activities, reporting a census of 3 cats and 66 dogs. There was an intake of 17 animals (1 cat and 16 dogs) and a total of 4 successful adoptions (2 cats and 2 dogs). Unfortunately, there was also one cat death and one animal returned to its owner. The shelter received 225 phone calls and $165 in donations, alongside generous contributions of pet food and essentials.In terms of rescue operations, outreach efforts involved contacting 14 organizations, with 5 responding. Notably, A Paw and a Prayer Dog Rescue has agreed to assist with dogs weighing under 20 pounds and puppies. Currently, there are 8 puppies, approximately 2.5 weeks old, waiting to be weaned, with rehoming initiatives set to begin in a month. The committee approved a rehoming fee of $150 per dog for rescues and decided to waive adoption fees until July 10 to encourage adoptions.The committee discussed the construction of a new shelter, noting that project bids have exceeded budget expectations, with the lowest roof bid at $169,000 and additional costs for trusses, labor, and metal installation. They are considering alternative labor sources, including local companies and a Mennonite group from Sparta, Tennessee.Operationally, the shelter remains open five days a week, from 8 AM to 4 PM, supported by staff members Jeff, Megan, and Shelby, along with inmate assistance for cleaning. A new truck insert is being ordered, featuring air-conditioning and dedicated storage.Looking ahead, the committee highlighted an upcoming event on June 20, organized by Jackie at the Warren County Chamber of Commerce, where shelter animals may be showcased. Plans were also made to investigate options for securing trusses and a follow-up on the Raising Wolf event details.Lastly, discussions continued regarding staffing adjustments due to a recent resignation and improving volunteer engagement while addressing kennel cleanliness concerns.