Commission discusses interlocal agreement with Great Falls for contingency animal sheltering

Commissioners discussed contract 26‑99, an interlocal agreement with the City of Great Falls to provide contingency sheltering for animal intakes when Cascade County shelter capacity is exceeded. The chair noted the agreement would make the prior informal practice explicit and set terms such as an intake fee referenced in the item as $140.

Animal‑control staff described a past large hoarding case that overwhelmed local resources and required moving some animals to the city shelter. "So it's just in that emergent plan... we've had to take a couple of dogs to the city of Great Falls Bridal Shelter," staff said, noting the city has allowed temporary use without a formal contract in prior cases (Animal control staff, speaker 6). The agreement was placed on the consent agenda for the upcoming regular meeting for formalization.