Halifax County has received $36,500 in grant funds for repairs to its animal shelter.

The money comes from the Animal Welfare Section of the Veterinary Division of the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The county was one of nine in the state to receive grants from the Animal Shelter Support Fund program.

In Halifax County the funds will be used for upgrades to the flooring of the animal housing areas, repairs or replacement of the 36 dog primary enclosures, and replacement of cables to the run doors.

“We are grateful to receive this funding from the Animal Shelter Support Fund to help with the costs of making these improvements to our animal shelter,” said County Manager Dia Denton.

The funds come at a time when the county is considering running its own adoption center after Rainbow Rescue announced it would be leaving its building at the animal shelter.

Denton said, however, the funds from the state are not related to the Rainbow Rescue building, but the county’s animal shelter. “This grant actually helps the current facility,” she said. “Rainbow Rescue hasn’t vacated (its) building yet. Once they do we will get in there and see what renovations we need to do to make it work.”

The state said the funds received through the grant will be used to help shelters improve their facilities to better comply with the Animal Welfare Act.

“Many local government-run shelters have been faced with staffing shortages, an increased number of animals from the community and limited funding for repairs,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “The Animal Shelter Support Fund was once used only for emergencies from hurricanes and other natural disasters. I appreciate the change in legislation that allowed us to also award funding to shelters needing upgrades and other repairs. We know these funds will be beneficial to the shelters receiving them and help to better serve the animals in their care.” 

Applicants to the Animal Shelter Support fund had to submit copies of their AWS facility compliance report citing specific violations or a date and description of an incident and the damage incurred. Applications also included an itemized listing of the costs for which funding is sought. 

The Animal Welfare Section inspects more than 900 facilities annually for compliance with the Animal Welfare Act, including local government-run shelters. 

Facilities receive unannounced inspections on an annual basis or more often if needed.