The Carbon County Commissioners have approved new bylaws for their Animal Shelter advisory committee.

The commissioners formed the five-member committee last July to assess and recommend changes to the commissioners when it comes to operating the shelter.

The bylaws state that the advisory committee’s recommendations will be focused on the shelter’s programming, policies, procedures, budgeting, reporting, staff and volunteer development, fundraising and public relations activities.

The new bylaws govern the operation of the board, not the shelter itself.

Commissioner Chris Lukasevich said that the bylaws will ensure that “everyone understands their duties and responsibilities in their advisory capacity.”

The board meets the first Tuesday of each month at 44 Susquehanna St. The county animal warden is a nonvoting member of the board. The five voting board members are appointed to terms between 1-3 years, and they are not paid. Board members can be removed through a vote by the majority of the commissioners.

The commissioners formed the advisory board last year after the Lehigh Valley Humane Society assessed the shelter and its operations. The Humane Society’s report said that the shelter had deficiencies in its volunteer program, adoption process and the facility itself.

The current board membership, appointed last year, has experience in animal care and training.

They include a veterinarian and a certified dog trainer. Commissioner Rocky Ahner said the advisory board’s expertise has been important to the commissioners.

“I can walk a dog, or let them run in the field, but I don’t know how to take care of them in a shelter,” he said.

“These people are instrumental in that.”