Board debates town access and volunteer funding for new shelter; CARES group role discussed

Nottoway County supervisors spent substantial time on operational questions for the county's new animal shelter, including whether the town of Blackstone may have its own animal control officer use the facility and how donated funds from the CARES volunteer group will be managed.

Board members agreed that animals found within county boundaries should be taken to the county shelter, but they discussed procedures for a town-employed officer transferring animals and whether a written liability agreement or contract language is needed. Katherine, the county attorney, cautioned the board that liability will likely rest with the town for actions taken by a town employee but recommended checking contract language to be certain.

Members also raised capacity concerns: state code was cited that requires a seven-day holding period for vicious animals, which could constrain space and staffing. Supervisors and staff discussed the shelter’s limited main runs and how volunteer staffing and a paid volunteer coordinator (currently funded in part by CARES) affect operations. Several board members said CARES has already purchased appliances, paid for a volunteer coordinator and given equipment; members suggested CARES could also earmark a recurring pass-through line item in the county budget if the group wants the volunteer coordinator position to persist beyond the current fiscal year.

The board discussed naming/addressing for the shelter approach road; volunteers proposed "Happy Tales Lane," and supervisors agreed to offer a suggestion to the town of Burkeville, which controls the final naming within town limits.

What’s next: Staff was asked to clarify liability provisions for any town officer using the shelter, report shelter capacity in regular animal-control reports and outline how CARES funds are being spent and what, if any, ongoing pass-through funding would look like in the FY27 budget.