The City of Brewton will pay for improvements to the Humane Society of Escambia County’s Brewton animal shelter as municipalities and the county commission continue to work on a deal to keep shelters open in Brewton and Atmore.

The Humane Society of Escambia County announced last month it would have to close its Brewton and Atmore shelters and cease animal control operations because of a lack of funding. The organization lost a majority of its funding when the W.T. Neal Trust ended last year.

As of last week, the Humane Society had a reprieve to keep the Atmore shelter open while local governments try to forge an agreement with the society to keep animal control and shelter operations going.

Brewton Mayor Ted Jennings said the improvements — which will cost $5,000 — are needed for the Brewton shelter.

“As it stands now, Brewton will be the main shelter,” Jennings said, describing the plan in the works. “While it is closed, it needs work, such as fumigating and painting. Hopefully that will be part of our contribution to the society — but even if we go it alone, the work needs to be done.”

Jennings said the $5,000 will be in addition to the $3,300 the city will pay the Humane Society for animal control work.

Brewton, Atmore, Flomaton and Escambia County have been part of the talks to keep the shelters open.