King County officials will close the Crossroads animal shelter in Bellevue June 12 to the public and move the animals to the county’s Kent shelter.
The closure is part of the county’s new regional animal control and sheltering plan that 27 cities, including Kent, have signed up to join starting July 1.
The decision to close the shelter will allow for more efficient staffing at the Kent shelter location, improved care for animals, and save the county utility and lease costs, according to a media release from King County Executive Dow Constantine.
The Crossroads location will remain a non-public base of operations for Animal Control officers assigned to East or North King County, and may occasionally be used to support adoption events and foster care programs.
The Bellevue shelter is the smaller of two county-run animal services locations. On average, it can hold just more than a dozen adoptable animals.
Stray or owner-surrendered animals that would have gone to the Crossroads location should be taken to the Kent shelter for processing and adoption.
The Kent shelter services roughly 7,000 stray or surrendered pets per year.
By closing the Bellevue location, the county will save roughly $75,000 annually in lease and utility expenses by 2012. Staff will be transferred from the Crossroads location to the Kent shelter, which will allow for improved animal care and customer service.
The Kent shelter is at 21615 64th Ave. S. For more information, call 206-296-7387 or go to www.kingcounty.gov/pets.
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