Lincoln County Animal Shelter: A Community Commitment Delivered
It is an absolute pleasure to see the new Lincoln County Animal Shelter come together. Lincoln County works to protect animals, support pet owners, and partner with community organizations to ensure animals are treated humanely and have the opportunity to find safe homes.
At the end of the day, this project represents something simple but important: delivering on the commitment you entrusted us with — caring for animals in Lincoln County.
Projects like this never happen because of one person. They happen because many people show up over time, bringing their experience, patience, and dedication to the table.
For me personally, the weekly meetings during the design phase — for more than a year — were both a learning experience and an opportunity to participate in project management from the ground up, helping shape a facility that truly serves its purpose.
I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge former Commissioner Kaety Jacobson, former Sheriff Curtis Landers, and Assistant County Counsel Brian Gardner, all of whom were instrumental in helping bring this effort together.
The County also utilized a Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) delivery model for the project. After the County issued a Request for Proposals, DSL Builders joined the effort during the contractor selection and pre-construction planning phase, helping guide the project toward construction and completion.
So many individuals invested significant time and effort long before the ribbon cutting. Their work formed the foundation that made the new shelter possible. To finally walk through a facility that once existed only as diagrams on paper is truly a great joy.
Public projects are long journeys. Many hands carry the torch along the way. When a community commits to something important — and people stay the course — good things happen.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible for the animals and residents of Lincoln County.
The Mission of the Lincoln County Animal Shelter
The Lincoln County Animal Shelter’s core mission is to provide a safe haven for abandoned, stray, abused, and neglected animals in our county.
The shelter works to rescue, reunite, rehabilitate, and rehome animals, while also promoting responsible pet ownership through licensing and public education.
This means the County is responsible for ensuring animals that have nowhere else to go receive:
- Safe housing
- Food and daily care
- Veterinary assessment
- Rehabilitation and adoption opportunities
A Day in the Life of an Animal Care Specialist
Animal shelter standards estimate an average of 15 minutes per animal per day for feeding and cleaning alone. But the work goes far beyond basic care.
A typical day may include:
- Phone calls and emails from residents
- Walk-in assistance
- Adoption counseling
- Pet licensing support
- Animal intake examinations
- Behavior assessments
- Veterinary appointments
- Food bank coordination
- Kennel cleaning and sanitation
- Humane euthanasia when necessary
- Laundry and facility maintenance
- Data entry and record keeping
- Community outreach and education
- Managing donations and volunteers
Behind every adoption or reunion is a dedicated team working every day to care for the animals entrusted to us.
How the Animal Shelter is Funded
Prior to 2010, Lincoln County Animal Shelter services were funded through a combination of sources:
- County General Fund dollars (the largest single source)
- Contracts with the Cities of Lincoln City and Newport for animal control services
- Fees and fines from enforcement of dog ordinances
- Animal licensing fees
During the 2009–2010 fiscal year, Lincoln County experienced a significant reduction in General Fund resources. At that time, the County faced the possibility of reducing animal services to a limited impoundment function.
The community responded.
The organization Friends of Lincoln County Animals (FOLCAS) worked with the Board of Commissioners to develop a long-term funding solution to keep animal shelter services operating.
Key milestones included:
- FOLCAS helping sustain operations for FY 2009–2010
- Measure 21-134 (a five-year levy) passed with 71% voter support
- $0.11 per $1,000 of assessed property value
- A home assessed at $200,000 contributes about $22 per year
- In 2011, voters approved making the levy permanent
Today, this dedicated funding source helps ensure Lincoln County can continue providing animal care and shelter services to the community.
