A New Chapter for Pendleton County’s Animals
We appreciate the community’s passion and the many questions we’ve received regarding the new Pendleton County animal shelter. It’s clear how much our community cares for its animals, and we want to provide some clarity on the project’s goals and the road ahead.
Focus on Improvement and Sustainability
The primary mission of this new facility is to provide a safer, healthier, and more humane environment for the dogs, staff, and volunteers. The current conditions have long needed an upgrade, and this new building ensures that we are meeting the basic needs of the animals in a way the county can fiscally afford for the long term.
Addressing Our Feline Friends
We understand that many of you are concerned about the lack of facilities for cats. While we share that love for our feline residents, the new shelter was designed to replace and improve the existing county services. Because the current shelter does not have the infrastructure or staffing to house cats, the new facility was built to remain within the county’s current budget and scope of service. Expanding to include a cat wing would have required significant additional funding and resources that were not currently available.
Shelter Policies and “No-Kill” Status
We also hear the concerns regarding “kill vs. no-kill” designations. It is important to clarify that this facility will continue to be managed and operated by Pendleton County, and all policy decisions regarding the animals—including the animals taken in and outcomes for those animals—remain at the county’s discretion.
As the Humane Society of Northern Kentucky, our role is to act as a support system. We are committed to working alongside the county whenever possible to assist with resources, placements, and advocacy to ensure the best possible outcomes for the dogs in their care.
Moving Forward Together
While this building doesn’t solve every challenge, it represents a massive leap forward from where we started. It provides a foundation of dignity for the animals and a functional workspace for those who care for them.
We are grateful for your continued support as we transition into this new space. Our goal remains the same: a safer, brighter future for the animals of Pendleton County.
— The Humane Society of Northern Kentucky
New Pendleton County Animal Shelter: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why was a new shelter built if the purpose isn’t changing?
The previous facility had reached the end of its functional life. To provide a humane environment for the dogs and a safe workspace for our dedicated staff and volunteers, a modern structure was necessary. The goal wasn’t to reinvent the shelter’s mission, but to ensure that the mission could be carried out with dignity, safety, and efficiency.
2. Why does the new shelter not accommodate cats, couldn’t you just raise more money and build a bigger shelter?
We completely understand the desire to help our feline friends. While construction costs are one hurdle, the ongoing operational costs—vetting, specialized staffing, and daily care—are a permanent commitment that the county’s current budget isn’t yet equipped to handle.
This new building ensures we can at least provide a sustainable, high-standard environment for the dogs within our current means. This was a difficult decision based strictly on fiscal reality and current operational scope. The Pendleton County shelter has historically been a canine-focused facility. Expanding to include a cat wing would require:
• Significant additional construction costs.
• Increased daily staffing and additional veterinary care.
• Significant increase in annual budget to provide for these additions
• Possibly a separate ventilation system to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses between species. To ensure the project remained fiscally responsible and sustainable for the county taxpayers, the decision was made to focus on providing the best possible care for the dogs currently in our charge.
3. Is this a “No-Kill” shelter?
The term “No-Kill” is a specific designation that is often very difficult for county shelters to guarantee. Because this is a county-run facility, all policies regarding acceptance and the outcomes of the animals are at the discretion of Pendleton County.
As a county shelter, the county often does not have the luxury of “closing intake” when the building is full. The shelter must be prepared to accept dogs in the case of a bite case/quarantine or in the event of a neglect seizure situation at the very least. In these situations difficult decisions may have to be made by Pendleton County officials. However, the Pendleton County Animal Shelter works tirelessly to facilitate adoptions, rescues, and transfers to achieve the best possible outcome for every animal.
4. Who is in charge of the shelter?
The shelter has been built by the Humane Society of NKY via years of fundraising and the county did contribute to that funding as well as provided the land the shelter is built on. Upon completion of the project, the facility will be owned and operated by Pendleton County. The staff are county employees, and the budget is set by the county government. The Humane Society of Northern Kentucky acts as a supportive partner, providing resources, volunteer assistance, and advocacy when needed.
5. Why wasn’t the shelter built larger to accommodate more animals?
While we would love to help every animal in need, we had to build a facility that the county could afford to maintain and staff long-term. Building a facility that exceeds the county’s operating budget would risk the shelter’s future stability. This new building is a right-sized solution that dramatically improves the quality of life for the animals currently served as well as the staff employed there and volunteers giving of their time.
6. How can the community help?
The best way to support the animals in Pendleton County is through:
• Volunteering: Your time helps keep the dogs socialized and happy.
• Fostering: This keeps shelter numbers manageable.
• Responsible Pet Ownership: Spaying and neutering your pets is the most effective way to reduce the number of animals entering the shelter in the first place.
• Donations: Visit our Amazon Wishlist for items we’re in need of to help make our transition a smoother one.
Amazon Wish List