Sevier County is again discussing the creation of a county-owned and operated animal shelter.
This topic comes up after controversy at a Pets Without Parents shelter in Sevierville, amid rumors dozens of animals were put down without reason.
While the shelter quelled those rumors, its board of directors admits it needs help.
"We had to tell the community that we can't take their animals for quite a while," said Pets Without Parents President Lory Souders. "We've been full for a long time."
This shelter has been the main animal shelter in Sevier County since July 2017.
It's where animal control from the county, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg take their animals.
Souders said it became too much, too fast for the makeshift shelter in a renovated house.
"This environment is not conducive really to a full blown animal shelter, which it is now, and it didn't intend to be," said board member Sally Werden.
With no room for more animals there, and the Sevier County Humane Society no longer taking animals from the cities or county, local leaders said it may be time for a change.
"Based partly on what's happened in the last few days and with previous relationships with other animal shelters, Sevier County, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville are discussing the feasibility of a government owned and operated animal shelter," said Perrin Anderson, Assistant Sevier County Mayor.
Anderson stressed this is just a discussion right now.
But he said it's apparent the county's current set up with Pets Without Parents may not be the best option.
"Through the negotiations the last few years with the Humane Society and with Pets Without Parents, it was just decided now was a good time to reopen those discussions to find out if its feasible."
The county hasn't made any official decision yet, and has no plans for another shelter right now.
Discussions are ongoing.