Animal welfare has been a topic of concern in Monroe County for several years.  Without an animal shelter, the county and city were lacking a humane option for citizens to take unwanted animals which led to animals being dumped or simply abandoned when individuals moved.   Animals that were found stray and taken in by the county dog warden were euthanized after a five day holding period and with no organized way to find the animal’s owners if it was simply lost, several pets were forever gone.  Human treatment of the animals was the main concern, however for small towns trying to attract industry, packs of stray dogs was both a health hazard for the community and placed an unfavorable light on both our city and county.  A former Monroe County resident presented an idea to the Tompkinsville Mayor and Monroe County Judge Executive to begin a program which gave people an option to dispose of their unwanted animals.  The Cooperative Extension Service partnered with the Tompkinsville-Monroe County Chamber of Commerce, the City of Tompkinsville, and Monroe County Fiscal Court to begin the Monroe County Animal Welfare Program.  The program approaches the problem of unwanted animals with a focus in three areas:  adoption and fostering; spay and neuter; and education.  The County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development serves as chair of the committee.  To date, the accomplishments of the program includes animals which are not fostered, adopted, or claimed are taken to a no-kill shelter so that no animals are euthanized unless there is a medical reason; a series of kennels have been constructed and the county dog warden is now picking up animals to hold in the kennels.   The five day holding period allows the committee time to  publicize the animal in case it is lost the owner has an opportunity to claim, or the animal is moved to the animal welfare program for foster or adoption, or it is taken to a no-kill shelter; a spay and neuter program has begun which offers citizens a reduced fee to have their animals spayed or neutered; and educational articles are published in the local newspapers and on the groups Facebook page to educate the public about options for unwanted animals and the benefits of spay and neuter.  The program continues to grow and has begun work with the Kentucky Human Society to further the efforts and reach.