Council shortens stray-hold for unidentified animals; ordinance passed after Humane Society testimony

The Goshen City Council voted unanimously on June 22 to adopt Ordinance 52-65, which amends the animal control ordinance to reduce the stray-hold period from five days to three days for animals that arrive without microchips or other identification.

Mr. Albright (speaking at the microphone) told the council the proposed change applies only to unidentifed animals; “the animals that come in with a microchip or identification, we’re required to hold for 10 days,” he said, explaining the three-day hold is intended to reduce shelter bottlenecks and the risk that animals fall ill while awaiting space. He added that moving animals through more quickly both lowers medical costs and allows the shelter to reduce euthanasia pressure tied to capacity constraints.

Rob Leroy, identified himself in the record as executive director of the Humane Society, supplied data on reclaim rates: “Our average for cats is about 4% that get back to their owners,” he said, noting that nationwide the average reclaim rate is around 11% and that dogs are reclaimed at a much higher rate locally. Councilors asked about follow-up procedures if an owner later presents themselves; Mr. Albright and Humane Society staff said they post animals on the shelter website, use social media and yard signage, and sometimes reunite owners with animals after the hold period if practical.

Councilors discussed potential conflicts of interest (one council member said they serve on a Humane Society board and considered recusal) and then moved—first reading and then on the same night second reading—to adopt the amendment. The record shows the change passed unanimously on both first and second readings.

The amendment preserves the 10-day hold for microchipped animals and emphasizes efforts to return animals to owners where possible; staff and shelter representatives said the measure is meant to improve animal welfare and shelter operations simultaneously.