Shelter, municipalities adjust to stray dog changes
PONDERAY — In the three months since Bonner County and the cities of Ponderay and Sandpoint allowed their contracts with a local shelter to expire, there has been uncertainty as all parties have worked to navigate what happens next.
On Oct. 1, 2024, financial constraints ended the 30-year partnership between BTAA and Bonner County, Sandpoint and Ponderay. The partnership outlined that BTAA would take in stray dogs found by citizens and law enforcement, housing them until they were adopted or found.
The updated contract proposal that requested a combined $254,870 from the cities and county would lead to a 1,285% total increase from the 2023 combined amount owed.
The end of the partnership means BTAA no longer receives a yearly contribution of $18,400, and local law enforcement no longer accepts stray animals found by the public.
While the city of Ponderay will no longer accept dogs found at-large by the public, it does offer a free dog tag program. The tag is engraved with an identification number and the police department’s phone number. The department will keep the dog tag on file, along with the owner’s contact information if the animal is lost. Tags can be found at the Ponderay Police Department and Ponderay City Hall or from a Ponderay officer on patrol.
“The prior agreement with BTAA included a once-yearly payment of $1,000 to the shelter from the Ponderay Police Department. To put this into context, in 2023 the Ponderay Police Department collected and took 11 dogs to the shelter. Within the prior agreement, this would amount to $90.91 per dog,” Ponderay Police Department said in a Nov. 28, 2024, Facebook statement. The annual proposed cost would amount to an 1,818.4% increase — $19,184 total — from previous budget years. “As one of the stewards of taxpayer’s monies, the newly proposed increase was not a wise financial agreement to enter on behalf of the taxpayers.”
Ponderay Police Department will accept dogs found by its law enforcement officials.
As for the Bonner County sheriff’s office and the Sandpoint police department, neither agency will pick up or transport stray animals.
“I believe the program is functioning as well as could be expected; lost dogs are being found and returned to their homes,” said Sandpoint Police Chief Corey Coon. “I encourage anyone in our county to go online to the city of Sandpoint’s website — which is currently offering free registration for all county residents — and complete the dog licensing form.”
BTAA continues to offer all its services post-contract but is no longer responsible for managing stray animals in Bonner County, Ponderay and Sandpoint. However, BTAA doors are open for the community to bring in strays. Without the yearly contribution of $18,400, the shelter requests that individuals take extra steps before bringing in a dog or cat.
“The state mandated hold period is five business days, if people can foster the pet or care for the pet that whole time, then as soon as the pet arrives here, we can immediately put it up for adoption,” Andrea Nagel, BTAA director of storytelling and partnerships, said.
When asked about offering services at little to no cost without a contract, Nagel said it’s due to community support. “We have an amazing community, and I don't think we can scream that loud enough! We have a lot of really amazing supporters,” she added.
An estimated 50% of BTAA operating budget comes from revenue of the shelter-owned thrift store next door. The rest of the budget comes from donor support and adoption fees, BTAA officials said.
Banner, a dog at BTAA, is available for adoption
Kavoot, a dog at BTAA, is available for adoption