Consultant Proposed $20,000 to $30,000 Assessment for Salina Animal Services After KDA Findings
Emails obtained by Salina311 show the City of Salina was in contact in February with an outside animal shelter consultant regarding potential services for Salina Animal Services following the Kansas Department of Agriculture inspection that resulted in an unsatisfactory rating.
According to the emails, Timothy Crum of Animal Shelter Services, LLC contacted City officials on Feb. 19, 2026, offering support related to compliance and operational improvements at the shelter. In his message, Crum referenced issues identified in the KDA inspection, including euthanasia protocols, documentation gaps, staff training, and facility-level compliance concerns.
Crum described Animal Shelter Services as a consulting firm specializing in operational assessments, shelter management, animal care and control operations, and governance structure. He said his firm could assist with corrective-action planning, euthanasia protocol review, documentation and staff training, operational assessments, best-practice guidance, leadership support, and long-term operational improvements.
Later that same day, Salina Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hammond emailed Crum asking what a typical range of fees would look like for his services. In response, Crum said a full operational assessment would typically range from $20,000 to $30,000, with the final cost depending on factors reviewed through a questionnaire. He also said projects focused on specific areas, such as developing and implementing a staff handbook or operations manual along with training, generally range from $10,000 to $40,000 depending on scope.
Crum told Hammond that, in his professional opinion, beginning with a comprehensive operational assessment would be the most effective approach because inspection findings are often symptoms of broader systemic issues. He wrote that addressing only isolated problems can allow the same issues to resurface later.
The email chain shows Hammond later followed up on Feb. 26, asking when they could schedule a brief phone call to ask questions and become more familiar with what Crum was offering. Crum responded that he had availability on Feb. 27, March 2, and March 3.
During the March 23 Salina City Commission meeting, commissioners discussed the possibility of hiring an outside consultant to evaluate the Salina Animal Shelter. The idea was raised as part of the broader conversation about shelter operations and oversight.
A related public poll also drew significant engagement. In the poll, Salina311 subscribers were asked who should lead the evaluation of the shelter. Of the responses shown in the poll, 75% said an outside consultant should be hired to conduct the evaluation, while 25% said the Salina City Commission should oversee the evaluation directly. The poll had a total of 4,338 votes.