The Courier of Montgomery County reports that after the city of Conroe took over the operation of the city’s animal shelter, the euthanasia rate has gone down so low that is now a no-kill facility according to Police Chief Jon Buckholtz.
On Thursday, an update on the shelter was presented to the Conroe City Council during its regular session.
The shelter euthanized 805 dogs and cats in 2024. The shelter has lowered that number to 168 since the city took over the shelter in September of that same year.
The shelter’s statistics show the live release rate has gone up from 76.8 percent to 92.5 percent.
Buckholtz said he is “very proud” that the shelter is now recognized as a “no kill” operation.
In August of 2024, the city ended its contract with Care Corporation who previously operated the shelter.
An investigation which prompted the termination showed severe operational failures and dramatically rising euthanasia rates and a lack of veterinary care in an emergency.
At one point the city looked a hiring another third-party organization to run the shelter. The council, however, agreed to have the operation under the direction of Conroe Police Department.
Back in February 2025, Buckholtz was appointed as chief.
Buckholtz hired Lesa West as the new manager of the shelter. He has done other things to improve the shelter’s operation, including implementing a new policy for the facility, altering the daily operations, improving evaluation and intake procedures, creating a donation account, adding volunteer organizations and instituting partnerships with community organizations.
