FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – As city and county leaders consider creating a new municipal animal control facility, much of the public discussion has centered on funding and governance. But the most important questions remain unanswered: What happens to the animals—and who is best equipped to care for them?
The Humane Society Will Continue to Care for the Most Difficult Cases
Even if city and county funding is withdrawn, the Humane Society has made it clear that it will continue to care for pets whose owners can no longer care for them, wildlife, and medically complex cases whenever possible. This includes injured animals, orphaned wildlife, and animals involved in cruelty investigations.
What will happen to dogs deemed dangerous under state law? These cases require specialized training, proper facilities, and staff willing to perform work many agencies avoid—such as extended bite quarantines, medical isolation, and legally mandated rabies testing. This is not work that can be learned quickly or handled safely without experience.
Flagler Humane Society has been doing this for decades.
The Unanswered Question: What Happens to the Strays?
Under the proposed plan, stray animals would become the primary responsibility of a new city- or county-run shelter. But critical questions remain:
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What happens to strays who are severely injured, chronically ill, or behaviorally unadoptable?
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Will there be on-site veterinarians to treat conditions like heartworm, broken bones, or serious infections?
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If advanced care is unavailable, will euthanasia become the default option—even for treatable animals?
Currently, many of these animals receive extensive medical treatment through the Flagler Humane Society, often at a cost that exceeds what municipal contracts reimburse. Without that infrastructure, strays with complex needs may simply have nowhere to go.
Are the Facilities Safe in Florida’s Climate?
Proposed designs for the new shelter raise additional concerns about animal safety during extreme weather.
The Humane Society operates out of a hardened, hurricane-rated facility with:
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Climate-controlled indoor kennels
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Fire alarms and sprinkler systems
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Secure indoor housing that prevents theft
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A full backup generator
By contrast, plans modeled after other counties include metal buildings, limited medical space, and indoor-outdoor kennels—some without air conditioning.
Florida’s summer heat, winter cold snaps, and hurricane season are not hypothetical risks. They are annual realities. Animals housed in non–climate-controlled environments face serious health and safety threats, particularly the elderly, sick, or stressed.
Experience Matters—Especially When Lives Are at Stake
Running an animal shelter is not intuitive. It requires experience with disease control, behavior assessment, medical triage, legal compliance, and public safety. Mistakes are costly—and animals pay the price.
Many municipal shelters rely on entry-level staff who rotate through departments or view animal control as a steppingstone. In contrast, nonprofit shelter staff often choose this work as a career, despite lower pay, because of their commitment to animal welfare.
That difference matters when difficult decisions must be made.
A Better Question: Why Not Build on What Already Works?
Instead of spending millions to build a new, untested facility, a more practical question emerges: Why not invest those funds into expanding and upgrading the existing Humane Society?
The Humane Society already owns its land, operates a secure facility, employs experienced staff, and provides comprehensive medical care. With additional investment, the organization could:
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Expand medical and quarantine space
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Add modern “soft kennel” housing to reduce animal stress
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Increase capacity for strays, cruelty cases, and emergencies
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Improve services for decades to come—without duplication or disruption
This approach would preserve continuity, protect animals during emergencies, and ensure taxpayer dollars strengthen—not fragment—the community’s animal welfare system.
The Decision Is About Care, Not Control
The Humane Society will adapt, regardless of the outcome. But the animals may not.
Before moving forward, city and county leaders owe the public clear answers:
Who will care for the hardest cases? Where will unadoptable strays go? How will animals be protected from heat, storms, and overcrowding? And why abandon an experienced partner instead of improving it?
The right choice is not about control.
It is about care—and whether our community is willing to put animal welfare first.
