The City of Manhattan will contract out services at the T. Russell Reitz Animal Shelter.
City commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved an agreement with Prairie Paws, a nonprofit organization out of Ottawa to manage the shelter. Mayor Mark Hatesohl says the move should give the city a better understanding of how much it’s spending on services.
The city began discussions in January to explore avenues to outsource shelter services, without requiring additional tax dollars. Deputy City Manager Jason Hilgers noted on Tuesday’s edition of In Focus that the city has struggled with turnover at the shelter for several years.
Commissioner John Matta says the move will better position the shelter to access funding and have a more flexible governance model.
The three year contract, totals $350,000 annually and about $13,000 in transition costs. It will take effect Jan. 1.
Animal control officers will be managed by the city’s code enforcement office, within the Manhattan Fire Department. The city and Riley County are continuing discussions to possible move those services under the purview of the Riley County Police Department, but those discussions remain ongoing and no timetable for when that may occur has been publicly shared.
The city says that while Franklin County residents likely will not see significant changes, citizens of Manhattan may notice some changes in branding and a stronger fundraising presence as the transition takes place. After the transition is complete, Manhattan pet owners may have access to additional programs at the shelter, including low-cost spay/neuter and trap/neuter/release for community cats.
Prairie Paws Animal Shelter, Inc. (PPAS) is a private 501(c)3 no-kill animal shelter founded in 1946 in Franklin County that serves more than 3,000 pets annually across more than six counties.
