As a concerned Daviess County resident, I urge the Fiscal Court to end its contract with It Takes a Village Canine Rescue, Inc. (ITV) to operate the Daviess County Animal Shelter. There are clear violations of this agreement that harm both animals and our community.
The contract states:
“ITV shall maintain appropriate space within the shelter to accommodate animal intake from law enforcement and citizens who reside within Daviess County without requiring an appointment.”
This has not happened. Citizens are turned away, told there is no room for animals, and forced to surrender strays to Animal Control, which ITV then publicly criticizes for doing the job ITV agreed to handle.
The contract also states:
“ITV shall be responsible for euthanasia protocol and determination and arrange and/or provide for humane euthanasia and disposal of unadoptable animals.”
Yet the Fiscal Court has discussed having the County perform euthanasia for animals ITV refuses to take and even building or retrofitting another facility at taxpayer expense. This directly contradicts the agreement.
There are also multiple reports of unsanitary and unsafe shelter conditions, a violation of the contract’s health and safety requirements. What is most disappointing is that Judge-Executive Charlie Castlen has publicly called concerned citizens liars, even though all claims have been documented and substantiated by the contract itself.
Daviess County deserves accountability and a shelter that serves animals and taxpayers responsibly. The Fiscal Court should end this contract and return operations to county control, where transparency and humane standards can be ensured.
Written by
Shelby Howard
