Clermont County animal shelter accused of creating inhumane living conditions

BATAVIA, Ohio — Megan Dashley and Jennifer Jacobson are both avid dog lovers, so in their spare time they volunteer at the Clermont County Animal Shelter. Lately, they say, there have been more challenges than successes.

“The cleanliness of the shelter, the treatment of the dogs, the lack of education and training of the staff,” said Dashley, a volunteer at the shelter, when asked about the problems she sees at the shelter.

Jacobson agrees.

“There is a lack of leadership. There is really no one in charge in the entire shelter who can help anyone make decisions,” said the volunteer and care coordinator.

An uncleaned kennel at the Clermont County Animal Shelter.

In 2021, Clermont County took over the shelter from a private animal welfare organization. Dashley and Jacobson said the shelter's current directors have no experience running a shelter and their lack of leadership has created inhumane living conditions for the dogs.

“The boxes were filled with their own feces, they were eating breakfast and dinner in boxes with their own urine,” Dashley said. “It was, it was disgusting.”

And these uncleaned boxes lead to diseases.

“We deal with the same diseases every day. Giardia, coccidia, all kinds of things,” Jacobson said. “And they're gastrointestinal, some of them are respiratory, of course.”

In recent months, volunteers say they have been able to reduce the number of dogs in the shelter from over 150 to around 80. There are currently 32 dogs in the shelter.

“We have worked so hard to be able to easily deliver the dogs – back to rescues, foster homes and adopters,” Dashley said.

Although things have improved with fewer dogs at the shelter, experts say changes still need to be made. One of those changes is the lack of staff.

Both Jacobson and Dashley told WCPO that the shelter's retention rate is low. They say they lost seven kennel technicians last year and now they have just three — the longest-serving has been on the job for six months.

They also say the only veterinary technician will leave the shelter after his last day of work on August 29. And after that, there will be no veterinarian on-site in case of an animal injury or emergency.

Both are calling on the district commissioners to put the animal shelter out to tender and change the operator, they say, for the benefit of the dogs.

We reached out to Clermont County about the allegations regarding the shelter. In a statement, the county said that any issues regarding the shelter's condition, staffing or medical care were “being addressed.”

The county said a $60,000 donation will go toward the purchase of a high-performance washer, dryer and dishwasher, as well as veterinarians who work with the shelter to provide medical care despite staffing shortages.

“The shelter remains committed to making continuous improvements to maintain a safe and healthy environment,” the statement said.

Read their full statement below:

“The Clermont County Animal Shelter is committed to providing a safe and clean environment for dogs.

There are currently 32 dogs in the shelter, with others being cared for outside. The shelter has approximately 60 kennels for use throughout the facility. The kennels are thoroughly cleaned each morning and spot cleaned during the day as needed. Any issues brought to the county's attention regarding the condition of the shelter, medical care, or other problems are addressed.

Commissioners approved an adoption fee reduction during their August 7 meeting, reducing the adoption fee to $60 for the entire month of August.

Positions assigned to the shelter include a kennel manager, a head dog warden, three assistant dog wardens, a kennel supervisor, five full-time kennel attendants, three part-time kennel attendants, a full-time receptionist, a part-time receptionist, and two full-time veterinary assistants. The county is currently advertising open positions for kennel managers, veterinary assistants, full-time kennel attendants, and part-time kennel attendants.

Partner veterinarians work with the shelter to provide medical care for the dogs. The initial budget was $100,000 and additional funds will be provided as needed to ensure the dogs receive appropriate care.

A generous donation of $60,000 was received to fund essential equipment, including a high-efficiency washer, dryer and dishwasher. The high-efficiency washer/dryer will require building modifications. In the meantime, the County has installed a washer/dryer combo to complement the existing unit and ensure the home's laundry needs are met while the high-efficiency machines are prepared for installation.

The shelter remains committed to making ongoing improvements to maintain a safe and healthy environment.”