The Ellis County Commissioners’ Court is still in search of a new animal sheltering service provider, but took steps forward to address a growing problem with pet overpopulation on Tuesday by reaching an agreement with Flying B Animal Rescue and Sanctuary for spay and neuter services.

The county will enter into contract negotiations with Flying B, and authorized County Judge John Wray to execute a contract upon final legal review.

County purchasing agent E.J. Harbin told commissioners that Flying B will provide a mobile spay and neuter clinic on weekends with a licensed veterinarian.

Carolyn Taylor, executive director of Flying B, said the focus of her organization is spaying and neutering, and said Flying B has spayed or neutered 457 animals in Ellis County just since last September.

“I got involved and quickly realized that we are not going to shelter or rescue our way out of this problem,” she said.

Flying B currently schedules mobile vet events at the Walmart in Ennis. Taylor said the majority of stray animals are found in the eastern half of Ellis County in the Ennis and Ferris areas and mentioned one hot spot near Ferris where up to 35 breeding dogs were found. Her organization was able to spay or neuter about 25 of those dogs, she noted.

Taylor said the mobile vet clinic, which is based in Deep East Texas, is capable of handling up to 44 male and 44 female dogs per event, with a limit of 100 pounds because of the size of the kennels. She added that she hopes to schedule events for big dogs once a location is found that is capable of hosting them. The clinic will also service cats.

All animals seen by Flying B will receive a rabies vaccination and a mandatory microchip, Taylor added.

Harbin said Precinct 2 Commissioner Lane Grayson, who was unable to attend Tuesday’s meeting, was instrumental working with Sheriff Brad Norman and Taylor to bring the proposal forward.

The spaying and neutering agreement is separate from sheltering, which is still a work in progress. Harbin said a request for proposals to operate the county animal shelter received no bids after bidding was reopened, and was allowed to expire.

Ellis County has been without an animal sheltering service since April 15, when a contract with SPCA of Texas expired. In the meantime, the county has altered its animal control ordinance to reflect Texas state law regarding rabies vaccinations.

Four cities in the county — Waxahachie, Midlothian, Red Oak and Ferris — operate municipal animal shelters.