The Logan County Board of Commissioners announced this week their plan to construct an animal shelter for lost and abandoned animals in Logan County.
The shelter will be located on the grounds of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, 284 S. County Road 32, Bellefontaine, and will be operated by Logan County Sheriff Randy Dodds and Logan County Dog Warden Deputy Jacob Boyd.
The commissioners and sheriff would like to invite the public to a ceremonial ground breaking on the jail grounds at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27.
Although the details for the shelter are currently being finalized, current building plans include an approximately 8,400-square-foot post frame facility that will include space for both dogs and cats, and potentially an area for the temporary housing of livestock that are involved in legal cases such as abuse or abandonment, according to a release provided by the Logan County Commissioners.
There will be 23 individual dog kennels with an outside dog run area for fresh air and exercise. Separate areas for smaller and larger dogs would be provided.
There will be a designated cat area separate from the kennels and visiting space for potential adopters to get to know the animals they are considering.
In addition, there will be an area for reception and a Dog Warden office.
Grooming, quarantine, veterinary and recovery rooms are part of the design. Final costs will be known after legal bidding requirements have been met and bids are accepted and awarded by the commissioners.
Additional support for animal care, building maintenance, cleaning and operations will be provided by inmate trustees from the Logan County Jail during non-public hours.
Commissioners anticipate that one full-time staff person will need to be hired to run the daily facility operation and handle adoptions of animals to the public. There will be opportunities for the public to volunteer for assistance.
The commissioners recently adopted new dog tag rates for 2025 to support the cost of staffing the shelter.
In addition, the commissioners have designated the Logan County Sheriff’s Office Behind the Badge Volunteers, Inc., a 501c3 charitable organization, to accept all financial donations toward the construction and operation of the facility.
Cash may be dropped off at the Logan County Sheriff’s Office during regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Checks may be mailed to the office at 284 S. County Road 32, Bellefontaine, OH 43311.
To make a credit card donation, contact Behind the Badge representative Pam Reames at (937) 539-0403 or [email protected].
Additional opportunities for sponsorship are anticipated to become available to those who would like to sponsor a kennel, visitation room or other facility area. Details will be announced at a later date.