Formal Proposal: Establishment of the Breathitt-Jackson Animal Welfare Board
To: The Jackson City Council and the Breathitt County Fiscal Court
From: Concerned Citizens of Breathitt County

Subject: Proposal to Establish a Joint Animal Welfare Board and Initiate Feasibility Planning for a Local Animal Shelter                   Date: 08/13/2026              

                
I. Executive Summary                             
The current state of animal control services—specifically our reliance on the Kentucky River Regional Animal Shelter (KRRAS)—has reached a critical point. Our community currently lacks local oversight and adequate accessibility for animal services. We propose that the City of Jackson and Breathitt County formally partner to create an Animal Welfare Board. This board will serve as a governance and planning body, tasked with conducting a professional feasibility study to transition toward a locally maintained, self-sufficient animal shelter and control program.

II. The Problem: Current Limitations
Our reliance on regional facilities (KRRAS) has resulted in several untenable issues for our citizens:

-Inaccessibility: With the current shelter servicing four counties, it is frequently overwhelmed and unable to assist citizens in locating missing pets.
-Quality of Care: Reports indicate that existing regional facilities are operating beyond capacity, leading to concerns regarding sanitation and the ability to provide humane standards of care.
-Public Safety & Responsibility: As a community, we have a responsibility to handle our own animal control needs to ensure public health, manage stray populations effectively, and promote responsible pet ownership.

III. The Solution: A Joint Animal Welfare Board
We propose the creation of an Animal Welfare Board, modeled after successful joint city/county industrial boards. This partnership ensures that both the City of Jackson and Breathitt County share the responsibility and authority for animal welfare.
Purpose of the Board:

-Strategic Planning: To oversee the transition from regional reliance to local self-sufficiency.
-Grant Acquisition: To act as the official body capable of applying for state and federal grants for shelter infrastructure.
-Feasibility Assessment: To evaluate potential locations, determine budget requirements, and design a sustainable operational model.
-Community Oversight: To provide a transparent forum for citizens to discuss animal welfare concerns and ensure accountability.

IV. Legal Framework
Under Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) 258.195, counties and cities are explicitly authorized to employ animal control officers and maintain animal shelters. Furthermore, the statute specifically allows for intergovernmental agreements between cities and counties to establish these services. Our proposal falls squarely within this legal mandate, providing a pathway for the City and County to formalize a partnership that benefits all constituents.

V. Strategic Goals
Phase 1: Governance. Form the Animal Welfare Board with appointed representatives from both the City of Jackson and Breathitt County by February 20th 2027.
Phase 2: Needs Assessment. Conduct a data-driven feasibility study to determine the specific capacity, staff, and funding needed for a local facility.
Phase 3: Funding & Sustainability. Work with grant writers and local non-profits to secure seed funding, while developing a long-term operational budget that includes community-supported revenue streams (e.g., adoption fees, low-cost clinics, and local sponsorships).

VI. Community Impact
By taking charge of our own animal welfare, we can:

-Improve Public Health: Effectively manage stray populations and reduce the spread of zoonotic diseases.
-Enhance Civic Pride: Demonstrate that "Breathitt Countians can take care of our own" by providing compassionate, local care for our animals.
-Foster Responsibility: Use the new facility as an educational hub to promote spay/neuter programs and responsible pet ownership, which reduces the long-term strain on resources.

VII. Conclusion
The current system is failing our citizens and the animals in our care. We urge the City Council and the Fiscal Court to hold a formal meeting to discuss the establishment of the Animal Welfare Board. We are prepared to volunteer our time and effort to support this board in making a local animal shelter a reality.