Under economic pressures to cut city budgets, Eagle and Star have severed their animal control contracts with the Idaho Humane Society.

Kuna considered doing the same before officials decided they couldn't deliver the service any cheaper if they brought it in-house.

As tax revenues and development fees drop, local governments are asking what services are essential, what can be done in-house, and what has to be put on hold until the economy turns around.

Humane Society leaders say these decisions are not entirely about money, and pressures from these Treasure Valley leaders could lead to a new, more convenient animal shelter.

Jeff Rosenthal, executive director of the Idaho Humane Society, conceded that the shelter in remote southeast Boise is not handy - especially to residents of West Ada. The Humane Society has been working with Meridian and Meridian Valley Humane Society on plans for a new, full-service West Ada shelter.

He is skeptical that cities can provide a basic level of service for less money. He said the loss of the contracts won't hobble the Humane Society; its animal control contracts amount to less than one-third of the agency's operating budget.

Rosenthal said his nonprofit's services are a bargain compared with other metropolitan areas. In Portland, Multnomah County animal services costs in fiscal 2008 were $5.98 per capita compared with $3.87 per capita for the Idaho Humane Society, he said.

Rosenthal noted, too, that half of the $716,000 that the city of Boise spends on animal control comes from licensing fees and fines.

NOT A UNIFIED EFFORT

Several cities in the Treasure Valley run their own animal control programs.

Almost 500 dogs were impounded last year at the Garden City facility, a small, no-frills kennel where people pick up their wayward pets by appointment.

"It's quite a burden," said Garden City Mayor John Evans. "We'd love to farm it out, but the last time we checked, it was a budget buster."

Nampa, which dumped its contract with Canyon County after a 2005 dispute over rising costs, now employs two full-time animal control officers in the Police Department.

The department averaged 426 animal calls a month in 2008 - more than 5,000 calls for the year.

"Without a doubt, the animal control officers are the busiest people in the department," said Nampa Police Chief Bill Augsburger, who plans to add two more animal control officers when the city's budget allows it.

THE LATEST TO LEAVE

The city of Eagle, which in recent weeks has cut 11 staff positions to reduce costs, eliminated its $66,000 contract with Idaho Humane Society April 1.

"We're just cutting everything ... We had to look at do we want to close a park down, or do we want to cut animal control? We picked animal control," said Public Works Director Mike Echeita, whose growing list of duties includes responding to dog complaints.

Officials don't know yet how the town will pick up vicious dogs without the right equipment and vehicles, or where they will house strays, which must be held at least five business days to allow time for them to be reclaimed by their owners.

Meridian - which employs two full-time animal control officers and one part-timer - impounds dogs at the Meridian Animal Shelter, a nonprofit volunteer-run shelter. Like most city-run programs, it doesn't impound cats.

The shelter holds up to 22 dogs, said Meridian police Lt. John Overton, who oversees community services, including animal control. Overton said the facility isn't large enough to take on animals from other cities.

"We still hit times where we're at mass capacity," he said. "The worst time is around the 4th of July."

Kuna Mayor Scott Dowdy said the lack of a place to shelter impounded animals is a big part of why the city must stay with the Idaho Humane Society.

"The citizens want us to take it back in-house, but we just can't do it," he said.

Dowdy said he wants the deputies who police the city to focus primarily on crime, rather than getting diverted to animal-related issues.

"I'm not paying them a million and a half dollars a year to respond to barking dogs," he said.

Star has temporarily contracted with Star Veterinary Clinic to house strays.

Star Mayor Nate Mitchell said he ended the city's contract with the Idaho Humane Society not because of cost but because of poor service.

"People would call in with animal problems, and we'd get called back four days later," he said. "Most of this stuff is more urgent than a four-day call-back.

"I, myself, and my city staff can't get call-backs from Humane Society staff to answer questions."

Rosenthal said the Humane Society was not informed of any problems.

"The only complaint that we were made aware of was a single, unsubstantiated complaint that was brought up by Star officials at the time of their cancellation," Rosenthal said.

ANOTHER WAY TO WORK TOGETHER

Garden City may provide a longer-term solution for Eagle and Star.

Garden City's 46th street animal facility can hold up to eight animals at one time, but there's room to expand next door for up to 20 animals, said Ed Paoli, who oversees the facility.

Paoli said most animal control calls in Garden City are for dogs running loose. Owners pay an impound fee of $15 and an additional $10 for each day in the city's care.

Dogs that aren't claimed are taken to the Idaho Humane Society for $30 each.

Katy Moeller: 377-6413