As part of an ongoing effort to manage Macon County Animal Services more effectively, the county put out a request for proposals on June 12 for firms interested in the administration and operation of the animal shelter.
The RFP follows a report given to the Macon County Board of Commissioners in March that outlined three options for dealing with county animal services: to leave animal services the same, to make animal services a standalone department or to shift management outside of government control.
According to the report, the Animal Services Department was established in 2006 when the county took on the duties of the Macon County Humane Society. From 2007-2015, Animal Services ran as its own department before being relegated to a division of Macon County Public Health. In recent years, the number of animals impounded has increased from 776 in 2019 to 1,327 in 2024. The 2024-25 Animal Services budget was $427,783. The county budgeted $467,883 for 2025-26.
On April 8, the commissioners approved a measure that would allow County Manager Warren Cabe to submit the request for proposals in the interest of giving commissioners additional information on what their options will be moving forward.
Entities interested in managing the animal shelter will need to be able to provide services that range from conducting health assessments and recordkeeping, immunization, public outreach and husbandry. The entity will also need to manage the shelter’s adoption, volunteer and foster programs and provide long-term care for animals.
The RFP is set to expire on July 17 at 4 p.m., at which point county staff will review the proposals and determine how to proceed.