A rescued dog is pictured at the Kenai Animal Shelter on Thursday, May 17, 2018. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

A rescued dog is pictured at the Kenai Animal Shelter on Thursday, May 17, 2018. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna, Kenai to consolidate animal shelters

Starting July 1, Soldotna will pay $42,000 to Kenai for the care of 150 animals

The city of Soldotna has decided to close its animal shelter and consolidate with Kenai to care for impounded animals.

The Soldotna City Council passed a resolution at its meeting Wednesday night to enter a one-year agreement with Kenai to provide animal shelter services for Soldotna animals at the Kenai animal shelter.

Starting July 1, Soldotna will pay $42,000 to Kenai for the care of 150 animals. Soldotna will pay an additional $284 for each additional animal over the initial 150.

“The initial term of the agreement is set for one year and if the partnership is successful, it would be appropriate to consider longer-term agreements in the future,” said Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen.

The resolution comes on the heels of a decline in the number of animals impounded at the Soldotna Animal Shelter. In 2013, 329 animals were impounded but in 2018, just 105 were. The Kenai Animal Shelter cares for more than 800 animals annually, with the capacity to accept additional animals.

The ordinance reduces expenditure in the animal control department by $58,000 annually. The Soldotna Animal Shelter will close, but the city of Soldotna will still staff a full-time animal control officer.

“In addition to significant cost savings, this partnership will provide operational benefits, such as relocating the Animal Control Officer to the Soldotna Police Department, where they can assist and collaborate on other enforcement activities and city projects,” Queen said. “Though shelter services would relocate to Kenai, Soldotna residents will still have a full-time animal control officer available to respond to their needs for service in the city. I feel this will allow us to provide better service in a more cost-effective manner.”

More in News

The Kasilof River is seen from the Kasilof River Recreation Area, July 30, 2019, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
King salmon fishing on Kasilof to close Thursday

If any king salmon is caught while fishing for other species, they may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

Un’a, a female sea otter pup who was admitted to the Alaska SeaLife Center in June 2025, plays with an enrichment toy at the center in Seward, Alaska. Photo courtesy of the Alaska SeaLife Center
SeaLife Center admits 2 seal pups, 1 orphaned otter

The three pups join the Alaska SeaLife Center’s ‘growing’ patient list.

James Wardlow demonstrates flilleting a salmon with an ulu during a smoked salmon demonstration, part of Fish Week 2023, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Refuge to celebrate all things fish during weeklong event

Fish Week will take place July 16-19.

President Zen Kelly speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, July 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
School board finalizes budget with deep cuts to programming, classrooms

Multiple members of the board said they were frustrated by the state’s failure to fund education.

Former KPBSD Finance Director Liz Hayes speaks during a Kenai Peninsula Borough School District budget development meeting at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
School district finance department earns national awards

The two awards are based on comprehensive reviews of the district’s budget and financial reporting.

Children leap forward to grab candy during a Fourth of July parade on South Willow Street in Kenai, Alaska, on July 4, 2025. (Photo courtesy Sarah Every)
Celebrating the 4th in the streets

Kenai comes out for annual Independence Day parade.

Fire crews respond to the Bruce Fire, July 4, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Alaska Division of Forestry)
Firefighting crews respond to wildfire outside Soldotna

The 8-acre fire and two “spot fires” of less than one acre each are located near Mile 102 and 103 of the Sterling Highway.

Robert Weaver was last seen at the Doroshin Bay public use cabin on June 25, 2025. (Photo provided by the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
Updated: Refuge ends search efforts for missing man

Robert Weaver was last seen near Skilak Lake on June 25.

Most Read