Wayne County’s animal control officer placed 183 animals with the HELP the Animals shelter last year, stressing the shelter’s capacity and financial capabilities.
“We’re not trying to paint an ugly picture, but the reality is: If you look at our books, we’re in trouble financially, and we’re not going to be here with another year like that,” said Carol Hulett, the shelter’s board president, during a Jan. 21 presentation to county council members and commissioners. “We can’t pay the bills, or won’t be able to pay the bills.”
The county contracted with HELP to receive dogs from Jesse Moore, the animal control officer, for $200 per dog, plus an additional $100 if the animal needed spayed or neutered. No contract has been reached for 2026. HELP requested the county consider additional funding for puppies and pregnant animals, a stipend for animals that stay an extended time, and additional financial support for medical care in extreme cases.
“The reality is we’re doing very important work, but at this rate, we can’t continue our operations like this,” said Nichole Kanney, the shelter director.
Hulett and Kanney were asked to determine what the shelter needed from a new contract and provide that information to the county.
Of the 183 dogs, including 41 puppies, 130 were adopted out, for a 71% success rate. The average stay was 63 days.
The county paid $47,450 to HELP for the animals’ care. HELP’s expenses, however, grew to $80,627 in 2025 from $27,486 in 2024. The 183 animals, plus seven born at the shelter, accounted for 42% of the 449 animals HELP handled last year.
HELP experiences additional difficulties when the county houses a pregnant animal, which the county pays for as one animal, but the shelter must deal with the newborns as well. Last year, the county also housed 41 puppies, which require additional work; 20 animals with parvovirus, which requires treatment and staff protections; and 18 animals facing extreme medical problems, many of which Moore found wounded from gunshots.
The shelter reached 150% capacity during the year. Kanney said that increased staff shifts three hours, adding to the shelter’s payroll.
Council member Cathy Williams asked about the shelter’s support from pet food manufacturers in Wayne County. Hulett said Hill’s Pet Nutrition provides the shelter’s dog food; however, a contract signed years ago has a no-compete element. Hulett said she’s working through Hill’s corporate structure to eliminate that.
“I’m trying to open their eyes that they have to help us,” Hulett said.
County officials want to help. For example, the county contributed toward a HELP project to upgrade and expand kennel space. That project waits for warmer weather to pour concrete.
Now, HELP and the county will further discuss a 2026 contract.
“It’s a great partnership; it really matters,” Kanney said. “One hundred-ninety animals were saved because of this contract, so it’s important to us.”
A version of this article appeared in the January 28 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.