In Nevada County, animals have always held a special place in the community. From rescue stories that melt hearts to volunteers who show up rain or shine, our local shelter system thrives on compassion. This fall, that story took a new turn: the Nevada County Board of Supervisors approved a three-month contract extension with Sammie’s Friends, keeping the beloved nonprofit at the helm of animal shelter operations while both sides work toward a new hybrid management model.

If you’ve adopted a pet here, you know Sammie’s Friends. The group has been a cornerstone of animal welfare in Nevada County for more than a decade, maintaining one of the region’s few no-kill shelters—a place where more than 90% of animals who come through the doors are saved, rehabilitated, and rehomed.

A Partnership in Transition

The Board’s recent vote ensures uninterrupted shelter operations while the County and Sammie’s Friends collaborate on a plan to combine the best of both worlds: the nonprofit’s experience in animal care and the County’s capacity for administration, funding, and infrastructure.

The new hybrid model is still being defined, but according to Nevada County’s official update, the goal is to strengthen shelter operations through shared resources and expertise. The intent is clear—better outcomes for animals, more efficient services, and a structure that ensures long-term stability.

This transition comes on the heels of leadership changes earlier this year when Executive Director Fran Cole announced her departure to return to her legal career. Cole, who has been a major advocate for animal welfare, remains involved as a volunteer and supporter of the organization she helped grow.

You can read more about her transition on YubaNet’s coverage.

What the Hybrid Model Could Mean for the Community

While the full details haven’t been finalized, this model could reshape how Nevada County approaches animal care:

Shared Operations:
The County and Sammie’s Friends may split responsibilities—county oversight for budgeting and infrastructure, nonprofit leadership for adoption, medical, and volunteer programs.

Improved Efficiency:
Combining systems could streamline intake, shorten adoption timelines, and improve medical care coordination.

Stable Funding:
A joint framework could create a more sustainable balance between taxpayer support and community donations.

Continued Compassion:
Most importantly, the no-kill commitment stays in place, ensuring that care and dignity remain the center of every animal’s story.

You can follow official updates and reports through the Ready Nevada County news page.

For now, operations at the Nevada County Animal Shelter on McCourtney Road continue as normal—adoptions, intake, volunteer opportunities, and community events are all active. The current extension runs through the end of the year, giving the County time to refine the hybrid structure before the next phase of the partnership begins.

Many in the community are watching this transition closely, hopeful that it becomes a model of collaboration between public and nonprofit sectors—a structure that prioritizes animals without sacrificing accountability or transparency.

Nevada County’s animal welfare system has always been rooted in community care. From local donations to volunteer fosters, every piece of it reflects who we are—a county that believes every life has value. The next few months will shape what the future of animal sheltering looks like here, and while change can be uncertain, it can also be the doorway to something even better.