“We have an emergency at our animal shelters, and an urgent need for the Executive and Animal Control to acknowledge and improve conditions for abandoned, neglected, and abused animals in our care,” said Council Vice-Chair Julia Patterson, prime sponsor of the motion adopted today by the Council. “Citizen experts in our county have given us a comprehensive and forward-thinking list of reforms that should be made, and it is our duty as elected officials to respond and take action based on their recommendations.”

“King County has an absolute obligation to these animals to provide humane care, medical treatment, and food and shelter. We must do everything in our power to give them a chance to be reunited with their families or placed in a safe and loving home,” said Councilmember Dow Constantine. “If we are unable to provide appropriate care and facilities, we simply should not be in the shelter business.”

The Council unanimously adopted a motion accepting the report of the King County Animal Care and Control Citizens Advisory Committee, whose leaders briefed the Council’s Committee of the Whole this morning.

The legislation directs the Executive to respond to each of the 47 recommendations made by the citizens committee, outline a plan for implementation, and describe how each of the immediate, emergency actions recommended in the report will be completed, with weekly progress reports provided to the Council through March 31, 2008.

The Council also directed the Executive to “consider the business decision of discontinuing the provision of animal sheltering services.”

“The Advisory Committee’s report is an indictment of the County’s inability to provide basic and humane treatment for the animals under its care,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson. “This legislation provides the Executive with a series of necessary and specific actions for bringing our animal shelters up to acceptable standards.”

“The Advisory Committee has done an excellent job of providing voices for vulnerable animals that cannot speak up or protect themselves,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips. “The report has taken a comprehensive look at other jurisdictions who have found ways to increase animal adoption rates, reduce shelter kill rates, and respond better to animal cruelty cases. We can and should do better for our furry friends in King County.”

Among the citizen recommendations urged for the Executive’s immediate action are:

“In light of the recent reports on the conditions of King County’s two local animal shelters, the action taken today by the King County Council was all the more necessary, said Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. “The King County Council has sent a clear message that animals deserve humane care and proper treatment.”

The Advisory Committee, whose members include representatives from the Humane Societies, the Progressive Animal Welfare Society, and Pasado’s Safe Haven, last week released its report outlining what it called “deplorable” conditions at the King County animal shelters in Kent and Crossroads.

“When I moved to King County, it didn't take long to see that residents are generous, compassionate and love their animals,” said Claire Davis, member of the Animal Care and Control Citizens Advisory Committee. “Our committee is confident that a community-wide plea for volunteers, adoptions and donations that improve conditions for animals would be answered with enthusiasm.”

The Council in May adopted policies sponsored by Councilmember Patterson to transform King County Animal Control into a model animal services program, with low euthanasia rates, high live-release rates and safe, sanitary, healthy and humane conditions. The Council also created a more comprehensive and strategic role for the King County Animal Control and Care Citizen’s Advisory Committee.

“Our candid conversation today in my committee with the report’s authors makes our charge clear: take immediate action or allow more animals to die needlessly,” said Councilmember Patterson.