Activists: Burien's experiment in animal control has failed
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BURIEN, Wash. -- Animal activists in Burien say the city's experiment in animal control has failed.
Meanwhile, a new shelter is still waiting for approval from the county before it can open.
The non-profit organization CARES failed its first county health inspection last month, and critics say that's a sign that Burien needs to get out of the animal control business.
CARES has spent more than a year to open its own shelter to house Burien's stray cats and dogs.
At a county pre-inspection, CARES got in trouble for having animals on-site before getting a permit -- now they're housing all their animals at other shelters or foster homes. The shelter also failed inspection because the cat condos and dog runs didn't have water impervious surfaces.
"We didn't understand that every ounce of a building has to be caulked and painted - no matter what," said Debra George, CARES director.
Both CARES and King County Health say failing a first inspection isn't unusual, but critics say it's proof that CARES is in over its head.
"You cannot properly disinfect particle board, for distemper, you got parvo - you got kennel cough," said Pamela Staeheli, who runs a feral cat trapping and spaying neutering operation.
She believes Burien never should have branched out on its own when King County revamped its animal control program -- even though the price tag for services would have nearly doubled.
"I don't think anything is too much money when animals are not properly taken care of," Staeheli said.
When Burien first opted to strike out on its own, it went with a local vet who in less than a year closed up shop saying the program was more than she could handle.
But Burien didn't give up on its plan, and is happy with CARES' performance.
"I think that they are far out-performing the services that the county was providing in its previous contract," said Burien City Manager Mike Martin.
George knows animal control and care is an emotional issue, but says the criticism takes a toll.
"It's beyond frustrating," she said. "It's heart-wrenching. What we're trying to do is a good thing."
King County plans to re-inspect this facility next week. In the meantime, Burien's city manager is bringing in an outside animal care expert to conduct a performance audit so people will know exactly what kind of service they're getting.
Meanwhile, a new shelter is still waiting for approval from the county before it can open.
The non-profit organization CARES failed its first county health inspection last month, and critics say that's a sign that Burien needs to get out of the animal control business.
CARES has spent more than a year to open its own shelter to house Burien's stray cats and dogs.
At a county pre-inspection, CARES got in trouble for having animals on-site before getting a permit -- now they're housing all their animals at other shelters or foster homes. The shelter also failed inspection because the cat condos and dog runs didn't have water impervious surfaces.
"We didn't understand that every ounce of a building has to be caulked and painted - no matter what," said Debra George, CARES director.
Both CARES and King County Health say failing a first inspection isn't unusual, but critics say it's proof that CARES is in over its head.
"You cannot properly disinfect particle board, for distemper, you got parvo - you got kennel cough," said Pamela Staeheli, who runs a feral cat trapping and spaying neutering operation.
She believes Burien never should have branched out on its own when King County revamped its animal control program -- even though the price tag for services would have nearly doubled.
"I don't think anything is too much money when animals are not properly taken care of," Staeheli said.
When Burien first opted to strike out on its own, it went with a local vet who in less than a year closed up shop saying the program was more than she could handle.
But Burien didn't give up on its plan, and is happy with CARES' performance.
"I think that they are far out-performing the services that the county was providing in its previous contract," said Burien City Manager Mike Martin.
George knows animal control and care is an emotional issue, but says the criticism takes a toll.
"It's beyond frustrating," she said. "It's heart-wrenching. What we're trying to do is a good thing."
King County plans to re-inspect this facility next week. In the meantime, Burien's city manager is bringing in an outside animal care expert to conduct a performance audit so people will know exactly what kind of service they're getting.
