Animal shelter data presented at city council meeting

Kenai city manager Rick Koch and chief animal control officer Cora Chambers presented data about the city’s animal shelter to the council and members of the public during a council meeting on Feb. 4.

The presentation was in response to a letter to the council from Judy Fandrei, Ellen Sheehan, and Amanda Motonaga of the non-profit Peninsula Spay and Neuter Fund regarding “impact of changes made at the Kenai Animal Shelter.” Changes addressed in the letter included those which the authors believed would have a positive impact on the shelter’s service, such as the spaying or neutering and microchipping of adopted animals, and purported negative changes such as closure of the shelter’s outdoor drop-off cages and its 32 hour-per-week operating schedule, both of which the authors said made the shelter’s services less accessible to the public.

In a slideshow presentation, Chambers and Koch presented the city’s data on animal shelter activity, noting that the percentage of adoptions from the number of live animals taken in had increased from 54 percent in 2011 to 86 percent in 2014. The presenters said that the closure of the drop-off cages was in accordance with the Association of Shelter Veterinarian’s 2010 Standards of Care in Animal Shelters, and that “neither the City Manager, Chief of Police, or Chief Animal Control Officer has received any contact from the public regarding the weekly hours of operation” since they were reduced from 40 in January 2014.

Reach Ben Boettger at ben.boettger@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

A demonstrator holds up a sign during the “No Kings” protest on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Homer hits the streets to say ‘No Kings’

Around 700 gathered locally as part of a nationwide protest.

Brooklyn Coleman, right, staffs The Squeeze Squad lemonade stand during Lemonade Day in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kids learn business skills at annual Lemonade Day

Around 40 stands were strewn around Soldotna, Kenai, Nikiski and Sterling for the event.

Planes are showcased at the Kenai Air Fair in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai fair shows off aircraft of all kinds

Cargo planes to helicopters were on display Saturday.

David Meyer. Photo courtesy of Chantrelle Meyer
Volunteers continue search for missing Happy Valley man

David Meyer was reported missing June 11 while kayaking in Cook Inlet.

Boats at Douglas Harbor under mostly clear skies on Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
80°F in Juneau will trigger first-ever National Weather Service heat advisories

Officials say sun’s angle in Alaska makes temperatures feel higher compared to other states.

People carrying flags and signs line the Sterling Highway for a “No Kings” protest in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna ‘No Kings’ protest draws hundreds

The nationwide protest came the same day as a military parade organized at the behest of the Trump administration.

Council member Jordan Chilson speaks during a Soldotna City Council work session in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna council mulls change to meeting time

Meetings would be moved from 6 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. under a resolution set to be considered on June 25.

Mountain View Elementary School is photographed on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Mountain View vandalized by children, police say

Staff who arrived at the school on Monday found significant damage, according to police.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress 4th grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy vetoes education funding to $500 BSA increase

Per-student funding was increased by $700 in an education bill passed by the Alaska Legislature in May.

Most Read