Wednesday, October 21, 2026
A cost-cutting request from the Nisqually Indian Tribe has resulted in changes to its animal control agreement with Joint Animal Services (JAS).
The revised agreement reduces annual payments and limits assistance to law enforcement requests, ending several services previously available to tribal members.
The Joint Animal Services Commission unanimously approved the proposed revisions during a meeting on Oct. 12.
Commissioners also authorized Lacey City Manager Rick Walk to sign off on the agreement. The City of Lacey serves as the fiduciary and administrative agent for JAS through an interlocal agreement with Olympia, Tumwater and Thurston County.
The annual contract amount will drop 60 percent to $30,000 from $75,000.
The current agreement allows tribal members to request stray animal intake, owner surrender and owner-requested euthanasia by appointment. Nisqually Tribal Police also have access to animal pickup services seven days a week, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The revised contract limits JAS services to animal pickup and transport requested by tribal police. Qualifying cases include dangerous dogs requiring euthanasia after a 10-day quarantine, injured stray dogs and cats, and dogs and cats taken into custody following an arrest or the death of an owner.
Routine response hours will decrease to 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday, and 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.
During a discussion, Deputy Mayor Malcolm Miller asked whether the tribe had been using the services available under its current contract.
Annual animal intake from the tribal area was estimated at fewer than 50 animals. The tribe’s use of JAS services was also reported to be lower than anticipated.
Commissioners also asked how many previous service requests originated from law enforcement compared with tribal members.
JAS Executive Director Sarah Hock estimated law enforcement initiated the majority of requests, although she did not have specific numbers available. Hock added the contract with the tribe has been in place for 30 months.
The revised agreement provides for emergency callouts outside the contracted service level, with fees starting at $1,750 per incident.
Emergency assistance may be requested when dogs attack livestock or pets, or when animals bite people. In those cases, the animal must be available for impound and cannot be safely contained until the following day.
JAS may also assist law enforcement when aggressive animals interfere with an investigation or crime scene. Law enforcement authorities must be present before JAS responds.
“And we did offer an emergency callout for situations, but that’s at a per emergency situation,” Hock said. “With that being an additional cost that is not included in their $30,000 contract.”
Non-dangerous owned animals associated with law enforcement activity must be sheltered for at least 48 hours, while healthy stray animals have a 48-hour holding period. Animals not reclaimed within the applicable period become JAS property, and owners must pay applicable fees to reclaim their pets.
The contract provides for monthly payments of $2,500 over 24 months. It may automatically renew for another two years, with a 7.5 percent increase in annual compensation.
According to a staff report, the revenue reduction has been incorporated into the proposed 2027 budget.
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