The Harford County Humane Society has been the subject of criticism during the fiscal 2026 budget process, with community members and former volunteers questioning the shelter’s financial transparency, ethics and quality of care for animals. But County Executive Bob Cassilly has defended the nonprofit, saying its operations are  transparent. He provided an increase of $150,000 for the shelter in his fiscal 2026 budget, bringing its total allocation up to $1.3 million and breaking a two-year streak of flat funding.

Each of the Harford County Council’s budget hearings this year was dominated by critics of the humane society who challenged the nonprofit group’s, request for a $500,000 increase from the county.

“We don’t know what’s going on and they aren’t giving any answers,” said resident Jane Robinson. “But yet our county government is giving them money every year because we have no shelter.”

Critics said the humane society shouldn’t receive any additional funding until more transparency is in place, but Cassilly said he trusts the organization and the parameters the county set to monitor its activity. Cassilly said the shelter provides an “expertly done” audit to the county government every year and has been able to account for all of the money it has been given.

A member of Cassilly’s administration also serves on the shelter’s board of directors, which Cassilly said gives him quick access to concerns, challenges and any changes within the shelter.

Since the shelter is open admission, it takes in a variety of animals from small pets to large farm animals. According to the humane society’s 2024 impact report, it cared for more than 3,000 animals last year; and completed more than 1,000 adoptions, a 19% increase from 2023; and maintained a live release rate of 92%.

Average expenses rose from $430 per animal to $622, mainly because of the uptick in animals coming to the shelter and staying longer, according to Executive Director Amanda Hickman, who gave a special presentation to the council last month. Dog stays at the shelter have increased, Hickman said, from 21 days to nearly 32 days.

Residents acknowledge the work the shelter is doing is difficult, but say they want a third party holding the nonprofit accountable. Critics urged the council to find solutions that would increase transparency into the shelter’s spending and operations.

“We’re asking that you are transparent about your operations and where you need help because the community wants to help,” Jean Salvatore, president of Shadow Cats TNR, said in an interview with the Aegis. “It’s not just trying to find something on you, it’s where we can assist so we can make this a model shelter. Where can we assist so that you’re not under the gun all the time.”

County Council members Jacob Bennett and Nolanda Robert suggested having a council member serve on the shelter’s board of directors to keep the council in the loop, which would improve transparency and communication with the public.

Hickman agreed with the suggestion, but did not say that would happen, as the humane society’s board would have to approve the idea.

The shelter was criticized for allegedly mistreating animals, dismissing volunteers who spoke out about poor treatment and ending partnerships with local rescues. Critics noted the reduction in the number of volunteers and the alleged end of rescue partnerships as an indication that the shelter has scaled back operations.

Hickman emphasized in an email to The Aegis last month that the shelter “categorically denies” any alleged mistreatment of animals.

“The care and well-being of the animals we serve is our top priority,” Hickman wrote. “We welcome oversight from licensed veterinarians, animal welfare agencies, and, when appropriate, independent reviews.”

She also said in the email that volunteers have not been “removed” for “simply raising concerns.”

“However, we do have policies in place regarding respectful conduct and communication,” Hickman wrote. “If concerns are brought forward in a constructive way, we welcome them and strive to address them thoughtfully.”

This week Hickman said the only partnership that the humane society ended was working with Shadow Cats on “pleas.” Hickman explained that the shelter sometimes makes a “plea” to a local rescue group to pick up fully vaccinated, spayed and neutered animal, free of charge, and find a home for it.

She said Shadow Cats would find homes for the shelter cats and charge an adoption fee to the cats’ new owners.

“There is a substantial monetary benefit for them when they do pull our animals because they then turn around and place them in homes for an adoption fee while we don’t charge them anything,” Hickman said. “That is what we discontinued doing.”

The Harford County Humane Society is also home to Harford County’s Animal Control Division, which Cassilly noted adds even more government oversight to the shelter’s operation. Due to the amount of oversight and annual audits, Cassilly said he does not feel the county government needs to seek more transparency from the shelter.

“It is a transparent operation, in my opinion,” Cassilly said.

He explained that because animal control operates out of the shelter, the shelter had been facing financial challenges due to an influx of farm animals being seized by animal control. That influx Cassilly said, was the main reason he allocated additional funding to the shelter next year.

“It is one thing to take care of little kitty cats and puppy dogs but try taking care of cows and sheep,” Cassilly said.  “It is a whole different thing, and it puts a strain on them because they can’t refuse the animals and that has presented them with a substantial budgetary challenge.”

Have a news tip? Contact Matt Hubbard at mhubbard@baltsun.com, 443-651-0101 or @mthubb on X and Shaela Foster at sfoster@baltsun.com or 443-826-5894.