The Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County says it needs additional county funding to continue operating its open-admission, no-kill shelter in Port Charlotte.
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Charlotte County commissioners and Animal Welfare League Executive Director Tara Zajas agreed June 16 to continue contract negotiations after commissioners said they could not support the shelter’s proposed $1.3 million funding request.
A final decision could come at the June 23 commissioners meeting.
With the current contract set to expire Nov. 1, Commissioner Ken Doherty stressed the need to reach an agreement quickly.
“Time is of the essence,” he said.
The county currently pays the no-kill shelter $337,762.68 annually under a contract that includes a 3% yearly increase. AWL is seeking a new contract worth $1.3 million, along with annual increases of 5%.
Previous rounds of negotiations have failed. At an earlier meeting, the county offered a written contract for $500,000 and verbally proposed increasing that amount to $600,000. AWL declined both offers.
Commission Chair Joe Tiseo asked Zajas, who was seated in the audience, whether she was willing to continue negotiations.
Animal Welfare League Executive Director Tara Zajas addresses Charlotte County commissioners during discussions over the shelter’s proposed funding agreement. Commissioners and AWL agreed to continue negotiations ahead of a possible June 23 decision.
Charlotte County government
“We are always ready to negotiate,” Zajas replied.
Gordon Burger, the county’s director of budget and administrative services, reviewed AWL’s financial statements and said the organization’s operating costs have risen substantially, particularly employee salaries and administrative expenses.
Burger said animals remain at AWL an average of 45 days, compared with the county’s required 10-day holding period. According to the latest figures, Animal Control accounts for 22.2% of the animals housed at the shelter.
He noted that no-kill shelters typically experience longer animal stays.
Commissioner Bill Truex said he would support a contract based on the county’s 22% share of animals housed and the 10-day holding requirement. Residents who want to provide additional support, he said, can donate directly to the shelter.
“It’s not right to take it out of their pockets,” Truex said of taxpayers.
A Charlotte County presentation highlights spending trends at the Animal Welfare League, showing rising operating costs, particularly in salaries and administrative expenses. The financial review was part of ongoing negotiations over a proposed new shelter contract.
Charlotte County government
As commissioners debated the proposal, Fire Chief and Public Safety Director Matthew McElroy outlined alternatives should the county eventually decide to operate its own shelter.
The fastest option would be a modular facility that could be operational within three to four months. Leasing the structure would cost $143,450 annually, while constructing a 3,950-square-foot building would cost about $200,000. Annual operating expenses would total approximately $414,750.
Another option would be leasing the former Goodwill building in Punta Gorda. However, McElroy said the project would take six to 12 months to prepare and would require city rezoning approval before an animal shelter could operate there.
A third option would involve purchasing and renovating a 20,000-square-foot building. That project would cost roughly $3 million and take 12 to 18 months to complete.
Despite discussing alternatives, commissioners said they would prefer to continue working with AWL. However, none indicated support for the shelter’s proposed $1.3 million contract with annual 5% increases.
Tiseo acknowledged the issue was personal for him.
Three of his pets came from AWL, and all four of his children have volunteered there.
“We love our pets, but I’m also a commissioner,” he said.
McElroy also reported that Animal Control brought 56 animals from the city of Punta Gorda to AWL in 2024 and another 54 animals from the city in 2025.
A dog rests in a kennel at the Animal Welfare League in Charlotte County. County commissioners and AWL officials continue negotiations over a proposed funding agreement as leaders weigh the costs of providing animal shelter services and alternatives for future operations.
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Tiseo said unincorporated Charlotte County taxpayers should not be responsible for covering the entire cost of sheltering animals from within Punta Gorda city limits.
“Funding 100% of the cost to serve the city — that has to be fixed,” he said.
Tiseo said the county should negotiate an interlocal agreement requiring Punta Gorda to help pay for animal shelter services provided to city residents.
The discussion began with a presentation from Interim Animal Control Division Manager Caitlin Warham, who compared shelter contracts in four Florida counties and the city of Port St. Lucie.
Warham said AWL’s proposal was the only contract reviewed that did not include what she described as a full suite of standard animal shelter services.
Commissioners are expected to revisit the issue during their regular meeting at 9 a.m. June 23 at the Charlotte County Administration Center, 18500 Murdock Circle in Port Charlotte.