Carbon County is chiseling away at things a recent review of its dog shelter pointed out, but commissioners said it is still a long road ahead to cover everything in the report’s findings.

On Thursday, the commissioners approved two proposals, one for a concrete pad in the dog run and another for paving the parking area.

Flexer Masonry of Lehighton will install a 14-foot by 25-foot concrete pad at the shelter at a cost of $2,300; while Motola Paving of Lehighton will pave and regrade the parking area at a cost of $10,600.

“I think that is something people are looking forward to,” Commissioner Rocky Ahner said.

He said the maintenance department is working on installing lighting and doing some other cosmetic upgrades to the building.

Commissioner Chris Lukasevich said that this is a start, saying that “you can put lipstick on a pig, but the fact is, we have some underlying challenges that we’re working to resolve.”

He said the county must work on some deeper challenges that will take longer to complete than cosmetic upgrades. These include proper staffing and training for those employees.

“That’s going to take a bit longer than the facade,” Lukasevich said.

“This is something that’s not at the end of July (when the concrete and paving are expected to be completed), that it will be over with,” Ahner added. “This is something that’s going to take two or three years to get back on our feet. ... It’s running good now, they’re taking care of the dogs, but it’s not up to the standards that we’re going to require.”

Last month, the commissioners released a report regarding the operation of the county dog shelter, completed by the Lehigh County Humane Society, in conjunction with PCoRP, the county’s insurance company.

The on-site assessment occurred on April 28 at the shelter and covered the operations, care of the animals, employees and relationship between the shelter, volunteers and the community.

It found several items that should be addressed, from cosmetic repairs to better serve the visitors, as well as the dogs; to staff training and hiring enough staff or creating a volunteer program to provide adequate services for the animals while under the county’s care.

The county commended Tom Connors, director at the shelter, for all he and the staff have been doing so far.

Connors, who is known as a dog whisperer due to his ability to form bonds with animals who otherwise would be considered aggressive, goes out day and night to help make sure dogs are getting the care they need.

He said last month that he was thankful for the assessment and the results are showing that the shelter “needs to be invested in.”

“We’re proud of the work we do, but we need help and welcome help,” Connors said. “We have some problems and we’re working them out.”