Funding for county animal shelters

The proposal by King County Executive Ron Sims for $965,000 in additional funds in 2008 for Animal Care and Control includes:

• New portable dog runs: $200,000.

• Expanded spay neuter services at shelters, one veterinarian, one veterinary technician: $125,000.

• Improved care at shelters, one full-time officer, two temporary: $125,000.

• Develop facilities master plan: $100,000.

• Independent consultant to oversee improvements: $85,000.

• New cat cages: $65,000.

• Expanded spay-neuter services in community: $45,000.

• Communications outreach, one full-time staffperson: $45,000.

• Animal-placement specialist: $45,000.

• Animal volunteer coordinator: $40,000.

• Eastside medical support, one veterinarian, one veterinary technician: $40,000.

• Replace truck-transport boxes: $30,000.

• Animal flow plan: $10,000.

• Enhanced medical program: $10,000.

Animal shelter

master plan

The proposal by Sims to develop an Animal Care and Control master plan for 2009 through 2011 and help decide whether the county should stay in the sheltering business includes:

• A task force with members from the Executive branch, County Council, Public Health, Sheriff’s and Prosecutor’s offices.

• A strategic plan to determine goals, who and how animal services are provided and which county department oversees the plan.

• An operational plan to decide whether to provide animal services as currently organized, reorganize within other county departments or work in partnership with private providers.

• A facilities plan to determine whether a new shelter should be built, where to build it, and a plan for financing construction.

• Master plan to be submitted to Council by Aug. 15, 2008.