THE DICKINSON COUNTY BOARD on Monday voted to allocate $5,000 to the Almost Home Animal Shelter at 5060 Lincoln St. in Quinnesec. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News file photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — Almost Home Animal Shelter in Quinnesec will receive a $5,000 appropriation from Dickinson County this year, the same as in previous recent years.

The county board approved it in a 3-1 vote, with one abstention, during a finance meeting Monday. The funding request came in writing from Gilbert Engel, president of the shelter board. Engel had addressed the board during a previous meeting to explain the shelter’s services.

The no vote came from County Board Chairman Dan Harrington, who questioned whether Dickinson County Humane Society Inc., which operates the shelter, was affiliated with a national group that he described as “a bad organization.”

Prior to the vote, other commissioners discussed whether the request might be tabled, but Commissioner Joe Stevens objected. He said there was no good reason to delay acting on the shelter appropriation.

“They’ve been here forever and do a wonderful job,” he said.

Stevens was joined by commissioners Kevin Sullivan and Peter Swanson in supporting the funding renewal. Commissioner Victoria Jakel, the finance chair, abstained.

Engel had reported that the shelter in 2024 took in 283 dogs and was able to get 273 back in homes. As for cats, 462 were placed in homes out of 577.

“Some that come in are very ill, are feral, or are not adoptable because of biting risks,” Engel said.

Stevens said that without the shelter, the county “would be in a pickle” in its animal control operations.

“We would struggle to find places for the animals we pick up,” Sheriff Aaron Rochon confirmed.

In raising a protest, Harrington echoed claims made by critics of the animal rights movement, saying the national organization is an inefficient and wasteful charity. The Humane Society of the United States, though, is not affiliated with local pet shelters.

Jakel’s abstention drew criticisms from several people during citizens’ time. Elizabeth Stack asked that the board clarify when abstaining from a vote is appropriate.

Jason Gibbs noted that Michigan’s Open Meetings Act Handbook states that if a vote requires a majority, an abstention has the same effect as a no vote.

The funding request came at this time because the shelter had not filed a request in time for 2025 budget deliberations last year, County Controller Brian Bousley said.

Donations to Almost Home Animal Shelter are tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, according to the shelter’s website.