Doug Rempp Tells Salina311 He Still Has “A Lot of Questions” as Prairie Paws Offers to Help Salina Shelter

In an email sent to Salina311, Rempp wrote, “I have not rolled over. I still have a lot of questions.” He said the central issue, in his view, is simple: “Who knew what and when did they know it?”

Rempp said he is still questioning what city leadership knew about alleged wrongdoing at the shelter, whether any discipline happened, and whether meaningful accountability ever took place.

“If direct reports (superiors) were aware of wrongdoing, what discipline happened if any,” Rempp wrote. “Did any accountability occur or did they just plan on staying mum. If they knew, they are part of the problem.”

The comments came one day after the commission voted 5-0 to provide city-funded legal representation for Monique Hawley and Andrea Murphy, two shelter employees facing criminal charges tied to their work at the city animal shelter.

Rempp said he was comfortable with his decision on the legal expenses, but made clear that he believes the larger issue at the shelter remains unresolved.

“We still have a big void at the shelter,” he wrote.

He also said many of the concerns raised by residents during recent public comment periods appear legitimate, including complaints about how the shelter presents itself to the public.

“Seems to me many of the ‘things’ that are brought out in the meetings are valid points,” Rempp wrote, pointing specifically to complaints about the building being kept dark. “A place of business or one that works for the public, should have front of the house lights on.”

Rempp also said he has maintained communication with Prairie Paws, the outside shelter operator that many residents have pushed the city to consider.

According to Rempp, he asked whether Prairie Paws could help Salina if the city decided outside assistance was needed. He said Vanessa Cowie offered short-term help, but noted that she is currently out of the country and Brandon Sokol is in charge in her absence.

“I'm completely open to providing some short-term support,” the response said. “We could very easily transfer some animals out of the shelter to lower the pressure on the current team, give them a chance to organize and deep-clean. We have a mobile vet clinic with veterinarians and technicians if you need veterinary assistance.”

The response also said Prairie Paws believed submitting a formal response for consulting work may have been pointless because of what it described as the city’s lack of trust in the organization.

Rempp said public sentiment on the issue has become too large to ignore. He pointed to a Salina311 poll showing broad support for Prairie Paws or a similar outside option.

“Many thousands voted in a 311 survey and 80% of those who voted would like to see P Paws or like,” Rempp wrote. “This stain just keeps getting bigger and real change would stop the madness in a hurry.”

He ended the email by framing the issue around the animals themselves.

“Assuming you have or know people with pets, you know they become family,” Rempp wrote. “These animals are there for whatever reason, but we know for sure that it was not their choice.”

Rempp’s comments add to the growing divide over what happens next at the Salina Animal Shelter, where public pressure has intensified in recent weeks over leadership, operations and whether the city should continue running the shelter as it does now.