Humane Society of Central Texas board president resigns, claims city is trying to cut ties with nonprofit

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - The City of Waco and the Humane Society of Central Texas are struggling to come to a contract agreement, leaving the future uncertain, according to volunteers.

Although both the city and the nonprofit of the same name work at the Humane Society of Central Texas on Circle Road, they divvy up the responsibilities.

Patricia Meadows said the Humane Society and the city haven’t had a contract since 2022. She claims last month the city presented her a contract that would entirely cut ties with the nonprofit, so she decided to take action.

Meadows has been volunteering with the Humane Society since she was 13.

“About a year a half ago, I became president of the board of directors for the Humane Society,” Meadows said.

She said in her role as president of the board of directors, she’s seen numerous disagreements between the city and her nonprofit.

“The City of Waco has decided to not negotiate with us anymore and that they would take over the shelter,” Meadows said.

Last week, she resigned as board president after she said the city told her they would no longer need her nonprofit.

“They stated that they can run the shelter without us,” Meadows said.

Currently the city owns the shelter building and oversees the animal intakes while the nonprofit matches people with pets.

”We, the Humane Society, we’re responsible for getting pets out alive,” Meadows said.

The Humane Society also handles most of the shelter’s programs, including the human animal support services.

”We regularly meet folks who are having to decide between feeding their human family and feeding their pet family, that’s why one of the services we offer is our pet food pantry,” Brooke Farrell, director of community relations for the Humane Society, said.

The former board president hopes that her resignation will encourage the city to have a change of heart.

”I hope the city comes back to the table and that we can come to an agreed upon contract that is fair and that we can be true partners,” Meadows said.

In response to the allegations, Waco city manager Bradley Ford gave the following statement to KWTX:

”The City of Waco and the Humane Society negotiated the current contract in 2021, and in 2022, it was signed by the President of the Humane Society Board and then presented and executed by the Waco City Council, effective until 2027.  The facility currently operates under this contract’s terms.

In support of the Humane Society’s purpose, both parties agreed to a continued review of the contract terms and have been discussing various concepts and ideas. The City proposed a performance-based contract earlier this year to provide financial support for services performed by the Humane Society due to a reduction in revenue the Humane Society has been receiving from the public.

In response, on February 20, 2024, the City received a request for a lump sum contract from the Humane Society and a letter stating that if an agreement was not met, the Humane Society would issue a notice to vacate the shelter and the contract.

It is the city’s responsibility to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars and its allocation toward the needs of the city.  Upon review of the lump sum request, the City notified the Humane Society that their demand could not be met.  The City is unaware of any new terms or revisions to the proposed contract. Although we don’t agree with the representations made by the Humane Society over the past few days, we are always available to meet with our partners for the benefit of the pet population.  The City considers the negotiations open and ongoing.”