Guilford County Animal Services is getting a $100,000 boost from a charitable trust, and the department is also getting some new help running the county animal shelter.
At their Thursday, Oct. 1 meeting, the Guilford County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to formally accept a $100,000 donation from the William Batson Trust and amend the county budget to allow Animal Services to spend the money.
The county describes the $100,000 as an unrestricted donation – which means Animal Services isn’t legally required to spend the money on one particular purpose.
However, county officials already have a few ideas on how to put the money to use.
According to information provided to the commissioners for the meeting, the money is expected to help pay for improvements to shelter play areas, kennels and medical facilities – as well as fund some additional Mobile Pet Assistance Clinics.
Animal Services currently holds an average of 12 vaccine clinics a year. County officials said the very generous donation will allow the department to offer more clinics and make veterinary services more readily available to people who face transportation, scheduling or cost barriers.
The receipt also makes clear that this may not necessarily be the end of the story: It calls the $100,000 both a “partial distribution” from the trust and the beneficiary’s “partial interest” in the Batson Survivor’s Trust.
According to stats from the county, Animal Services cared for more than 7,300 dogs and cats during fiscal year 2025-2026, responded to more than 13,460 calls for service and helped find new homes for more than 3,800 animals.
The department also reunited more than 840 lost pets with their owners and transferred about 472 animals to rescue organizations.
And while the department is getting some very much needed additional money, it’s also getting some additional management help.
Guilford County just hired Alana Carpenter as its new assistant director of animal welfare.
Carpenter will oversee daily animal welfare operations at the shelter and supervise rescue and foster programs, animal care, animal control, volunteer programs and community engagement. She’ll also be responsible for helping make sure the shelter complies with county, state and federal laws and regulations.
Carpenter comes to Guilford County with more than seven years of experience in animal welfare and nonprofit organizations. She previously served as activities, events and transportation director for St. John’s Northwestern Academies in Delafield, Wisconsin.
More directly related to her new job, Carpenter previously served as shelter director for the Humane Society of Manatee County in Bradenton, Florida, and held several positions with the Halifax Humane Society in Daytona Beach, Florida, including project manager, special event manager and admissions counselor.
Guilford County Animal Services Director Jorge Ortega said that Carpenter’s experience will be a big plus for the department.
“I am excited to welcome Alana as our new Assistant Director of Animal Welfare,” Ortega said. “She brings valuable experience that will help strengthen our commitment to caring for lost, abandoned and surrendered animals in our community and finding homes for every adoptable animal that comes into our shelter.”
Carpenter has a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management with a minor in business administration from Florida State University.
