Final consultant’s report raises concerns over animal shelter management and leadership

Alternative models suggested

An expert consultant retained to evaluate the leadership of King County Animal Services and the structural capacity of the program to become a model no-kill program today delivered a final written report critical of shelter management and leadership.

“While King County enjoys the benefit of many hard-working and dedicated employees who staff our animal shelters, this written report identifies serious issues involving shelter management and leadership that must be addressed,” said Council chair Julia Patterson. “This report supports many of the findings and recommendations from previous studies, including the troubling report we heard last September from the King County Animal Care and Control Citizens Advisory Committee. We look forward to discussing these findings with the County Executive so we can move forward together to ensure the humane treatment of animals in the custody of King County Animal Care and Control.”

The 147-page written report from consultant Nathan Winograd, titled “Evaluation of Leadership, Human Resources and Structural Capacity in King County’s Animal Services Program,” can be downloaded as a PDF file from the Council’s Web site .

The public is invited to speak at a Council Town Hall meeting on animal care and shelter services on Monday, April 14 at the Highline Performing Arts Center in Burien at 6:30 p.m. The Council will hear from the public, review the consultant’s final report, receive the Executive’s response, and revisit last September’s report from the King County Animal Care and Control Citizens Advisory Committee.

“The Council intends to present options in advance of the Burien Town Hall meeting on how King County can move forward in taking care of our animals,” said Councilmember Dow Constantine, whose district will host the meeting. “We hope to engage the people of King County in helping us to quickly ensure the safety and well-being of these vulnerable creatures.”

Consultant Nathan Winograd is director of the national No Kill Advocacy Center of San Clemente, California. He presented a preliminary briefing to the Council’s Committee of the Whole on March 17 on his observations of the conditions and operations at the County’s animal shelters in Kent and Bellevue/Crossroads from January to March.

His written report recommends options and alternative models the Council can consider as it decides whether to take the County out of the provision of shelter services.