On Friday, Weber County announced a partnership between the shelter and the nonprofit Best Friends Animal Society.

“As a no-kill animal shelter, WCAS is proud to be a network partner with Best Friends, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting animal welfare and pet adoption,” a press release said. “Now, after an assessment of the animal shelter in November of 2024, that partnership is evolving to collaboratively address prevalent issues, such as an increase in animal intake and sickness.”

Weber County Public Relations Manager Jessika Clark told the Standard-Examiner on Monday that the county has worked with the Best Friends Animal Society in the past.

“The main purpose of the partnership is to improve efficiency and disease prevention at the animal shelter while also prioritizing the safety of our staff and animals,” she said. “The animal shelter has always been in contact with Best Friends Animal Society because the animal shelter is currently a no-kill animal shelter. Best Friends reached out to the animal shelter because they have more resources than us and they’re able to help with overcrowding and things like that.”

The release notes that the county is working to remedy “numerous concerns” about the current animal shelter.

Clark said concerns include how the shelter is managed and communication from the facility with the public.

“From the assessment that Best Friends Animal Society did, we’re taking a look at that and we’re changing some things so that volunteer applications are being received and followed through in a more timely manner,” she said. “We’re working with staff to look at processes that could be sped up and could be more efficient and we’re making some changes in those regards. Also, with communication with the animal shelter — misinformation can spread really quickly on social media, especially. The animal shelter is more committed to providing accurate, more relevant and timely information — specifically on social media — so that the public has a more accurate picture of what is happening.”

She said the partnership comes with a significant boost in available resources for the shelter to access.

“They have a huge network throughout the state and they have funding that can help the animal shelter, specifically when it comes to overcrowding,” she said. “When the animal shelter has an overcrowding of dogs, for example, Best Friends can take those dogs and transport them to another facility and find them homes more quickly.”

Clark said the partnership also helps greatly with medical care, such as spay-and-neuter services and vaccinations.

Weber County Commissioner Sharon Bolos added in the press release that she sees this partnership a huge boost to the county.

“We anticipate that Weber County’s partnership with Best Friends Animal Society will greatly benefit our staff and the animals in our care,” she said. “Best Friends has resources and expert procedures to provide additional veterinary care and transfer animals in and out of the shelter more efficiently, which will reduce the burden on our staff.”

For more information on the Weber County Animal Shelter, visit https://www.webercountyutah.gov/Animal_Shelter/.