ASHLAND — The Ashland County Dog Shelter had 111 dogs reclaimed by their owners in 2025, six less than the year prior.
A quarter of the way through 2026, only 13 dogs have been reclaimed — a pace that would equal 52 for the year if numbers stayed consistent.
From 2024 to 2026, 259 dogs have been adopted, 241 reclaimed, 62 rescued and 11 euthanized (all due to medical or behavioral issues), according to Shannon Hamilton, kennel manager. The shelter has a 98.08 percent live release rate.
Hamilton, who’s worked at the shelter since 2023, said the lack of dogs being reclaimed this year is a concerning trend.
“That’s been the biggest thing we’ve been noticing this year,” he told the Ashland County Board of Commissioners on Thursday morning.
What’s the difference between reclaiming and adoption?
If a dog happens to get lost and winds up at the dog shelter, its rightful owner may retrieve it — otherwise known as reclaiming.
If someone is interested in taking legal ownership of a homeless or abandoned pet, they may adopt it from the shelter.
There’s currently around 30 dogs in the shelter, 25 of which are currently ready for adoption, Hamilton said.
Despite some concerning trends, the kennel manager said community engagement and the overall morale of shelter employees and volunteers are both increasing.
“The attitude at the shelter is way different than it ever was before. People are enjoying working and volunteering. We’ve got a lot more people wanting to volunteer,” he said.
Lyme disease testing
The shelter began testing dogs for Lyme disease late in 2024 using test kits on site.
Hamilton said the testing has been beneficial for the shelter to catch the disease early and begin treatment sooner rather than later.
The kennel manager said he’s noticed an increase this year in the number of dogs coming in with Lyme disease — estimating about two out of every five dogs coming into the shelter tests positive.
“The trick is catching it early, which we’re doing it now,” Hamilton said.
No Pawz Left Behind of Ashland, a local non-profit, covers the medical costs once a dog at the shelter has tested positive for Lyme disease, he said.
“The treatments are averaging, after that, around $180. I want to encourage people to make sure that they still donate to No Pawz because they pick up a huge tab after a dog tests positive for Lyme disease,” Hamilton said.
Shelter receives $13,404 in donations
Another non-profit, Friends of Ashland County Dogs, is also helping the shelter this year, the kennel manager said. Its focus will center around helping with enrichment and training for the dogs, as well as assisting with the shelter’s foster program.
Additionally, commissioners voted to accept 2026 first quarter donations to the dog shelter Thursday, totaling $13,404 in cash and checks.
Hamilton said Ellie Powell, assistant kennel manager, has built solid relationships with different rescue groups around Ohio, Indiana and Michigan.
“She’s already gotten 14 dogs out of our shelter this year alone, which is four less than what she did in 2024. She had a record number in 2025 of 30 and I believe she is going to well surpass that this year,” he said.
The shelter’s greatest need currently — as it is most times — is dog food donations, Hamilton said, specifically Purina Dog Chow in the green colored bag.
A complete list of what can be donated to the shelter can be found here.
