Panel finds 2 local animal shelters 'deplorable'
SEATTLE -- From the dog runs to the cat cages, a new report from a citizens advisory committee blasts King County's two animal shelters, calling conditions "deplorable."
The county's Animal Services Manager takes issue with that.
"I just strongly disagree with the term 'deplorable,' " says Al Dams. "I agree that the shelter is old and in need of renovations. Anyone knows that. It's 32 years old. But deplorable conditions? No definitely not."
Some upgrades are already under way.
Cracked floors could hold disease. They'll be re-done next month.
An open sewer drain in the dog pens will be covered.
The cat room will get a new ventilation system. But open play space for cats could be years away.
Right now cats spend days, perhaps weeks, with no exercise.
And the shelter needs an isolation room for sick dogs. Right now, dogs with disease are in the general population.
The Seattle Humane Society says it has trouble rescuing dogs from the county because of disease outbreaks.
"It's almost so overwhelming; you almost wonder if they believe they can help the animals," says Brenda Barnette, CEO of the Seattle Humane Society. "It's much sadder than I thought it would be, than I expected it to be." Barnette was also on the citizens committee.
The report calls the county's small shelter in Bellevue's Crossroads neighborhood "unsuitable" with cramped dog runs. Dams admits the runs at Crossroads are substandard, but says animals aren't kept in Crossroads for long. The shelter is meant to be used short term for animals picked up in parts of the county that are a long drive from Kent.
Dams admits both buildings need work.
"There's no question it's in need of renovations and upgrades. It's just a matter of how much money is available to do them all," Dams says. Still, he insists the animals are well cared for, and he invites anyone to tour the facility and decide for themselves.
On one thing the shelter's operators and its critics agree. The report should focus much needed attention on animals in the county's care.
To read the report: metrokc.gov
To read a letter from the committee: www.metrokc.gov
The county's Animal Services Manager takes issue with that.
"I just strongly disagree with the term 'deplorable,' " says Al Dams. "I agree that the shelter is old and in need of renovations. Anyone knows that. It's 32 years old. But deplorable conditions? No definitely not."
Some upgrades are already under way.
Cracked floors could hold disease. They'll be re-done next month.
An open sewer drain in the dog pens will be covered.
The cat room will get a new ventilation system. But open play space for cats could be years away.
Right now cats spend days, perhaps weeks, with no exercise.
And the shelter needs an isolation room for sick dogs. Right now, dogs with disease are in the general population.
The Seattle Humane Society says it has trouble rescuing dogs from the county because of disease outbreaks.
"It's almost so overwhelming; you almost wonder if they believe they can help the animals," says Brenda Barnette, CEO of the Seattle Humane Society. "It's much sadder than I thought it would be, than I expected it to be." Barnette was also on the citizens committee.
The report calls the county's small shelter in Bellevue's Crossroads neighborhood "unsuitable" with cramped dog runs. Dams admits the runs at Crossroads are substandard, but says animals aren't kept in Crossroads for long. The shelter is meant to be used short term for animals picked up in parts of the county that are a long drive from Kent.
Dams admits both buildings need work.
"There's no question it's in need of renovations and upgrades. It's just a matter of how much money is available to do them all," Dams says. Still, he insists the animals are well cared for, and he invites anyone to tour the facility and decide for themselves.
On one thing the shelter's operators and its critics agree. The report should focus much needed attention on animals in the county's care.
To read the report: metrokc.gov
To read a letter from the committee: www.metrokc.gov