BILLINGS, Mont. – The Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter (YVAS) in Billings has been closed until further notice due to smoke contamination. The issue arose after the FBI used the crematorium on site to burn methamphetamine, leading to smoke entering the shelter.

According to Triniti Halverson, executive director at YVAS, the health of both animals and staff was put at risk after being informed by city officials about the use of the crematorium. The building and crematorium are owned by the city, with YVAS renting the building. Only the city's animal control department is authorized to use the crematorium, and they must be present when other departments use it.

Halverson shared that over the past year, smoke filling the shelter has been a regular occurrence due to the crematorium's use fo

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