Pet adoptions at the King County Animal Shelter in Kent are up 10 percent over this time last year, and the shelter population is down by more than one-third, even as the County continues on two parallel paths – preparation for the emergency evacuation of animals in the event of flooding from the federal Howard Hanson Dam, and planning for a new regional model for animal care and control as mandated by the County Council.

The shelter remains open for the care of homeless pets and the provision of field services, while planning continues to meet the policy set by the Council to get out of the business of providing animal shelters by Jan. 31.

“We are working hard with the cities, community-based organizations, and the public to develop a regional, community-based program, and we will make every effort to ensure that animals receive the care they need, regardless of who provides that service,” said Assistant Deputy County Executive Rhonda Berry. “Public health and safety come first, along with the welfare of the animals, so we are working on a plan to submit to the Council very shortly.”

As the outlines of a plan are developed in consultation with stakeholders, Berry says the Executive’s office will work with the Council on flexibility on the Jan. 31 date.

While this transitional period for the animal shelter has created uncertainty among residents surrounding the renewal of pet licenses, the interim manager for King County Animal Care and Control (KCACC) says owners can be assured that the fees they pay for pet licenses will continue to provide animal services, whatever the outcome of those regional discussions.

“This region’s ability to care for the welfare of animals depends on the continued payment of pet license fees,” Nancy McKenney said. “Those fees pay in part for the provision of animal sheltering services.”

In the meantime, flood planning efforts that have drawn together shelter staff and volunteers and community-based partners have led to one of the lowest populations at the shelter in years. If a flood event were to occur as a result of water from the federal Howard Hanson Dam upstream, the shelter could be given as little as 24 hours to evacuate to an alternate location at a County-owned building in the city of SeaTac.

In order to keep shelter population down to a level where it can quickly relocate animals, KCACC has been working with partner organizations to direct owners who want to surrender their pets. As an incentive to further decrease shelter population, KCACC in October also waived adoption fees on all pets so that adopters can now take home a spayed, neutered and vaccinated pet for just the cost of a pet license.

These two initiatives have helped lower shelter population by more than 37 percent compared to this time last December, animal intake is down 25 percent, and adoptions are up 10 percent, according to McKenney. “Despite the lower population, homeless and stray animals in King County are still welcomed into our shelters, while owners who want to surrender their pets are served by our partners.”

For more information about KCACC, animal intake policies and animal related services, visit www.kingcounty.gov/pets.