Rescue group offers help as commissioners note shelter concerns and move to closed session

David Edwards, co‑founder of Bear Guard Animal Rescue, spoke during public comment to offer the rescue’s assistance to Greene County Animal Services. Edwards said his group has a long relationship with the county shelter and has taken animals to veterinarians when county resources were limited.

"We are open. We wanna help," Edwards said, noting the rescue typically spends $20,000–$30,000 a month on veterinary bills funded by fundraising and that the group has maintained a 100% compliance record on state surveys since opening.

Edwards acknowledged there are recent concerns about conditions at the county shelter and said he understood some of those items would be discussed in closed session; he expressed support for transparency "whenever legally permissible." Commissioners subsequently discussed the shelter during their remarks and one commissioner asked that details be revisited in closed session and that the public be informed as allowed by law.

The board later voted to enter closed session for attorney‑client privilege, economic development and personnel matters; commissioners said some animal‑shelter issues would be part of that discussion.

What’s next: The commission entered closed session to discuss attorney‑client and personnel matters (including items referred to in public comment); the public comment and commissioners’ statements indicate the rescue group remains willing to partner with county animal services.