By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The cost of caring for stray dogs in Wood County is shepherding in some fee increases for canines – from dog licenses to shelter adoption costs.
The Wood County Dog Shelter issues dog licenses, impounds and cares for stray dogs, investigates injuries and bites caused by dogs, and designates dogs as nuisance, dangerous and vicious. User fees, dog licenses, kennel fees, fines, and penalties are the primary funding sources for the county’s Dog and Kennel Fund which is used to pay for the shelter’s operations.
The last time dog license fees were increased in Wood County was in 2014, according to Jodi Harding, chief warden at the Wood County Dog Shelter. New fees for dog licenses will go into effect on Dec. 1. The changes include:
- One-year license will go from $14 to $16.
- Three-year license will go from $42 to $48.
- Permanent license will go from $140 to $160.
- Kennel license will go from $70 to $80.
Over the past five years, the county has seen an increase in the number of dogs being housed at the shelter. The shelter statistics show the growing demand for services there. Here is a comparison of stats from 2020 to 2024:
- Intakes went from 339 to 410 dogs.
- Adoptions went from 85 to 159 dogs.
- Redemptions went from 165 to 157.
- Owner requested euthanasia went from 17 to 22.
The dog shelter has also taken a progressive step in the care of dogs by spay/neutering as many dogs as possible, making them more adoptable to the public. This also takes the burden away from potential adopters, so they do not need to get their newly adopted pet into the vet right away. The dog shelter has kept the fees of adoptions, redemptions, surrenders, and euthanasia fees as low as possible for the public and have not raised fees since 2016, Harding said.
The shelter proposed the fee increases for adoptions, redemptions, surrenders and euthanasia to ensure the long-term wellbeing of the animals in its care and help offset the rising costs of operational expenses.
In addition to the costs of daily care for the canines, the dog shelter is also facing some rather large capital improvement costs. A new roof planned for next year and a new HVAC system are estimated to cost $70,000. The shelter is also in need of one to two new vehicles, Harding said.
The additional license fees will help, but are expected to only generate an additional $46,000.
“It’s not going to cover all of the costs,” Harding said. “We know those capital costs are coming up, and we want to work toward best practices.”
At the same time, Harding is keenly aware of the current economic challenges faced by many.
“We don’t want to raise those costs too much for citizens,” she said.
The increases in adoption fees will allow the dog shelter to meet “best practices” of spaying, neutering, and making sure every dog is vaccinated against rabies. To completely “vet” a dog, the cost to the shelter averages $140 to $150. By adopting a completely vetted dog, the new owners can avoid costs averaging $300..
“We’re hoping that’s something to entice people to adopt,” Harding said.
Harding outlined the reasons for shelter fee increases:
- Seizure and impound – Increase in cost of fuel to pick up the dog, food, medical care (the dog shelter has started vaccinating dogs for distemper/parvo/kennel cough when coming to the shelter), and staff time.
- Daily boarding – It costs the shelter on average $48.99 per day per dog to house, feed, and care for while at the shelter.
- Adoption – The dog shelter is striving to meet best practices when adopting dogs out by getting the dog vetted prior to adoption. The average cost to fully vet a dog is $145.53. If a dog is not vetted prior to adoption, it is costing the adopter on average $306.90 to vet the dog.
- Euthanasia – Increased cost of vet services and staff time. The disposal cost has gone up from $18 to $28 per dog.
- Surrender fees – If the dog is not vetted when being surrendered, it will cost the shelter more to get the dog ready for adoption.
- Quarantine fee – Increase cost of shelter expenses for daily boarding and staff time/safety.
“The Wood County Dog Shelter is proud of the fact that we have not raised fees since 2016. However, we recognize that with increased shelter costs there will need to be fee increases for some shelter operations,” Harding wrote in her report to the Wood County Commissioners. “We strive to give the best care to the dogs in our care and will continue to do so moving forward. Public safety and the welfare of the dogs at the shelter are our number one priority.”
Following is a list of the shelter fees approved by the county commissioners. The new fees will go into effect on Jan. 1.
- Filing affidavit and court order to seize dog to remain $100.
- Seizure and impound will increase from $30 to $40.
- Daily boarding will increase from $10 to $15.
- Adoption will increase from $75 to $100.
- Euthanasia will increase from $80 to $100.
- Emergency or after-hours response will remain $50.
- Surrender for spayed/neutered dog will remain $50.
- Surrender of not spayed/neutered dog will increase from $50 to $75.
- Quarantine of a dog will increase from $100 to $150.
