Volunteer raises spay/neuter and records concerns for Fairfield animal shelter; donations accepted

At the Feb. 11, 2026 meeting, a volunteer for Friends of Purefield Animal Shelter raised concerns about missing meeting attachments and about whether promised spay/neuter pledges had been honored. The volunteer said she had been told by department staff the volunteer’s earlier report would be attached to prior meeting minutes but that she could not find the attachment online. She also said a FOIA request for adopted animals’ health records was closed and asserted that health records (including spay/neuter status) are statutorily required to be retained for two years.

The volunteer asked the commission for help obtaining adoption and run counts and for access to records she expected to find in the minutes and shelter files. Commissioners acknowledged the comments and indicated items would be submitted to the record.

Separately, the commission received and accepted donations to animal control totaling $2,040, including a $2,000 check from McMahon Insurance Associates and smaller gifts. A motion to accept the donations was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.