Caring for our animals
The King County Animal Services Interbranch Work Group delivered its final report to the County Council and County Executive on Oct. 6.
The report, “King County Animal Services Strategic Plan and Operational Master Plan 2009-2011” was developed over more than four months by an Interbranch Work Group with representatives from the County Executive, County Council, Public Health, Sheriff and Prosecuting Attorney. A Community Stakeholder Group provided comments on the final report.
The report outlines three organizational models:
- The STATUS QUO ORGANIZATION WITH ENHANCED COUNTY SERVICE MODEL where King County continues to provide field services and operate the animal shelters.
- The COUNTY REORGANIZATION MODEL where King County continues to provide field services and operate the animal shelters but some functions would be transferred to the Sheriff’s Office and Public Health.
- The COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES MODEL which looks beyond county government and explores what community partnerships can be made to deliver humane care.
The Council Chair and Vice Chairs have declaired their support for the third option of moving from a county-based model to a community-based services model.
King County as a local government to the unincorporated areas does not have a statutory requirement to provide animal control or animal sheltering services. Under state law the county’s four mandates are:
- Confiscation of dangerous dogs,
- Pickup of animals abandoned in veterinarian offices and kennels,
- Rabies control, and
- Zoonotic disease investigation and quarantine.
King County currently provides animal services to 34 cities by contract. Under any transition framework, the county would negotiate on behalf of cities interested in a collective agreement with a community partner agency. Cities are also free to provide their own animal services.
Public comment on the state of the county's animal shelters was heard April 14 when nearly 700 citizens turned out for a Council Town Hall meeting in Burien.
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