Akron’s cost to manage stray dogs could rise from about $15,500 in 2025 to nearly $1.5 million in each of the next two years, based on a new contract with Summit County’s Animal Control Department. The city is also looking for an independent contractor to take in the overflow dogs when the county facility is full.
Contract Details
The new contract, which will be retroactive to Jan. 1 and run through December of 2027, with two two-year options to renew, lowers the number of kennels the city will eventually be allotted, from 80 to start down to 60 in November. The city will pay the county $60 per day per kennel for the number of kennels it uses.
The city does not currently pay for the services provided by shelters like Rubber City Rescue, but they are frequently the only option for Akron’s police and dog wardens if the county shelter is full. Ward 7 Member Donnie Kammer highlighted the city’s reliance on private dog rescues and the need for oversight and checks and balances.
Overflow Facility
The city published a request for proposal (RFP) for an organization to become an animal control overflow facility when the county runs out of space. Only Laura Lawson at Rubber City Rescue applied, and her organization is currently operating on two floors of a building in Kenmore, with 5,000 square feet per floor, and can house up to 40 dogs.
Original reporting: Signal Akron — read the source article.
