As expected, Lyon County has ended its partnership with the Humane Society of the Flint Hills for animal quarantines.
Sheriff Jeff Cope presented a contract to work with Raise Your Paws at 312 Commercial during the County Commission’s weekly action meeting Thursday. The contract was approved unanimously.
Cope says the new contract has the county paying Raise Your Paws $1,000 a month for a year beginning March 1.
The partnership with Raise Your Paws developed after contract negotiations broke down over the past several months between the county and the Humane Society of the Flint Hills, although the situation didn’t go public until late January. The Humane Society says it offered several scenarios for continuing the contract, although Lyon County Assistant Legal Counselor Mike Halleran says no offers reached his desk.
Cope says the contract offers several benefits to the county and its residents.
KVOE News has reached out to Raise Your Paws for additional perspective.
Last year, the Emporia Animal Shelter had a total of 437 intakes, almost 350 of those from the Emporia city limits and the rest from greater Lyon County. The dog total was 281, of which 212 came from the city. Of the 155 cats that came in last year, all but 17 were from the Emporia city limits. There was also one “pocket pig” that came in from Emporia.
The Humane Society continues its animal quarantine contract with the city of Emporia through April 2024.
