(KNZA)--The Brown County Humane Society will serve as the official shelter and holding facility for animals picked up by the city of Hiawatha.

The Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening accepted a bid from the organization to provide the service for a fee of $10 per day. 

NEK Veterinary Services, which has been providing the service,  submitted a bid of $15 per day.

At the request of Police Chief John Defore, the Commission also voted to allow the Humane Society to sale city dog tags for animals being released back into the city.

Defore says the city currently averages 54 animals impounded a year.

A representative of the Humane Society approached the Commission earlier this month asking to be designated as the official shelter for stray dogs and cats picked up by the city.  At that time, the Commission decided to seek bids to provide the service.