Sunday, November 1, 2009
Last updated 6:25 p.m. PT
County waives adoption fees for shelter animals
Kent shelter must be moved due to flooding threat
By CHRIS GRYGIEL
SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF
Adoption fees on all animals at King County's two shelters
in Kent and Bellevue will be waived as officials prepare to move the
Kent shelter in anticipation of possible severe Green River valley
flooding.

Dogs had previously cost $75 to adopt, puppies and kittens were $75,
and adult cats were $35. Those costs are now $0, the county said Sunday.

Pet licenses are still required.  A license costs $30 for a spayed or neutered pet.

The Howard Hanson Dam, which regulates the flow of water in the
Green River Valley, was damaged during January flooding. As a result,
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it can't use the structure, built
in 1962, to its full flood-storage capacity -- a potentially disastrous
situation in the event of severe flood conditions this fall. Renton,
Auburn Kent and Tukwila could be anywhere from 4 to 10 feet underwater
if storms are severe.

The King County Council is considering transferring shelter
operations for stray and unwanted cats and dogs to an outside agency by
April 1 as it continues to look for ways to save money to preserve core
services like public safety and public health.

The Seattle Humane Society has offered to provide shelter and
adoption services for stray, orphaned and abandoned animals and
negotiations with the county are continuing.

County Executive Kurt Triplett proposed last month that the county
stop all funding for the animal care and control by June 30. Triplett
said it will be up to the 32 cities that contract with the county for
animal services to decide how to care for and control animals. The
county faces a $56 million operating budget for next year.

Triplett wants to use $3 million in one-time money in next year's
budget to help transition the animal services - and perhaps some of the
45 KCACC jobs - to new agencies. Eliminating county involvement in
animal services will ultimately save $1.5 million annually.

Chris Grygiel can be reached at 206-448-8363 or chrisgryg...@seattlepi.com.                                          
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