Judge-Executive talks new owner surrender fees at Christian Co. Regional Animal Shelter

There’s been some new policy changes out at the Christian County Animal Shelter, as approved by the magistrates of Christian Fiscal Court, and one of those is the implementation of fees for those owner-releasing their animals to the shelter.

There’s been some backlash to these fees, with Judge-Executive Jerry Gilliam saying fees like this are pretty common at animal shelters, and they hope it will help offset the pharmaceutical costs to keep animals healthy.

Gilliam detailed the fees, which include $50 to surrender a dog—with vet papers its $25—$25 to surrender a cat, and $50 for a litter of kittens or puppies.

The big concern from those who oppose these new fees is that people will begin dropping their animals to fend for themselves, instead of taking them to the animal shelter, where they would have food, shelter and care.

Gilliam says he hears those worries loud and clear, and they’ll be monitoring the numbers going forward. If something looks off or alarming, he says then they’ll discuss their options.

The new fee policy came into effect on July 1.