More than 621 animals have been euthanized at the Bell County Animal Shelter in 2025 alone — and the year isn’t over.

Recent revelations show a disturbing spike in euthanasia rates, especially during a two-week period in June. Volunteers and rescue groups say they’ve been denied access to animals they could have saved. The shelter is run by the Bell County Sheriff’s Department, and calls for transparency have been met with silence.

We can’t fix what’s broken until we change who’s in charge.

We are calling on the Bell County Commissioners Court to immediately halt all non-emergency euthanasia at the shelter and 

• Transfer control of the Bell County Animal Shelter away from the Sheriff’s Department
• Place shelter oversight under a civilian or animal welfare-focused department
• Require full public reporting on all euthanasia decisions and rescue group denials
• Invest in expanded kennel space, fostering, and partnerships to reduce intake pressure

These animals are not just numbers. They are lives — many of them adoptable, treatable, or in need of short-term support.

The shelter system should be built on care, not control. And the public deserves to know what’s happening inside its walls.

Sign this petition to demand Bell County leaders act now to protect the animals, restore public trust, and build a more humane future.