Fayette County increases animal shelter limit

Fayette County has revised its official animal shelter capacity threshold following a review of a policy implemented in July.

The Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 on Sept. 14 to amend the new euthanasia policy, which originally specified that cats and dogs could be killed “for reasons due to insufficient operational capacity” when 75 percent of its cages were full, in order to leave 25 percent for emergency intakes. After discussions with staff and animal advocates, shelter director Jerry Collins decided that raising the limit to 85 percent would make two more cages available for adoptable dogs and still allow the shelter to operate properly. Randy Ognio opposed the change.