Focus Area: Quality of Life
Staff Contact: Mike Sirna/JJ O’Toole-Curran/Paul Krueger
Subject: Consideration of contract with Dr. Sandra Walker, DVM, Heartland Shelter Medicine, LLC, for veterinarian services at Olathe Animal Shelter.
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Consideration of contract with Dr. Sandra Walker, DVM, Heartland Shelter Medicine, LLC, for veterinarian services at Olathe Animal Shelter.
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Summary:
In October 2025, the City solicited bids for veterinarian services for the Olathe Animal Shelter and received two responses. Staff recommends approval of the contract with Heartland Shelter Medicine LLC for a three (3)-year term with options to extend for additional contract periods. This recommendation is based on best value and the demonstrated shelter medicine expertise of Dr. Sandra Walker and her Kansas City-based mobile practice.- Heartland’s Kansas City-based mobile practice aligns with Olathe’s operational needs by bringing high-quality veterinary care on-site, reducing animal transport, stress, and time-to-treatment. Dr. Walker has 11+ years dedicated to shelter medicine, extensive postgraduate training in shelter management and medicine, and recent leadership roles as Shelter Veterinarian/Clinic Supervisor (Independence Animal Services) and Medical Director (Humane Society of Greater Kansas City), evidencing her capacity to standardize protocols, improve outcomes, and meet regulatory and best practice- standards.
With the new Olathe Animal Shelter coming online in 2027, Dr. Walker brings expanded opportunities for community outreach, strategic partnerships, and competitive grant acquisition, along with proven success implementing Trap Neuter- Return (TNR) and foster programming. This combination positions the City to scale humane, cost- effective- services and community engagement from day one.
The yearly cost of service is not changing from 2025 to 2026.
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Financial Impact:
Expenses for the year will not exceed $275,000 for Dr. Walker and her technician associates.
Funding will come from the Animal Shelter operating budget.
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Action Needed:
Acceptance of contract with Dr. Sandra Walker, DVM
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Attachment(s):
A. Contract