Cochise County says it is moving forward with a county‑owned animal shelter, denies rumor of Douglas shelter closure

Sheriff Mark Daniels told KWCD listeners that Cochise County is moving forward on plans for a county‑owned animal shelter, saying the county wants a facility it controls "where we own our own reputation, our own programs, our own destiny." Daniels said the county is looking at a facility in Huachuca City and that a grant will help offset costs; he said he expects visible change by 2026.

Daniels also addressed a social‑media rumor that the county was trying to close the Douglas shelter. "That is a completely false rumor," he said on air, noting that the Douglas facility is controlled by the City of Sierra Vista (a partnership) and that the county’s role is as a customer/partner when it places animals. He said the county will raise issues directly with a partner if facility cleanliness or operations are a concern rather than repeating unverified social‑media claims.

The sheriff described the animal shelter plan as an effort to manage domesticated animals and occasional exotic livestock and said owning a local shelter would give the county more control over animal services. He did not provide the grant source, the facility address, or the project budget on air. Daniels urged residents to call the sheriff’s office for facts rather than rely solely on social media.

Next steps described on air included continued planning and partnership discussions; the sheriff said public updates will follow as plans solidify and grant details are finalized.