Season of HOPE for homeless King County pets; Kent shelter hours adjusted

King County Animal Care and Control is extending an invitation to holiday shoppers at the Kent Station mall to visit their temporary pet adoption store front to meet adoptable cats and dogs. This is part of the annual Season of Helping Orphaned Pets Everywhere (HOPE) promotion. Potential adopters who prefer to visit the Kent shelter location to search for a new family member should be aware of a change in operating hours.

"The Season of HOPE storefront is the best way to bring adoptable pets to locations where people who may have thought about getting a new furry companion will be doing their holiday shopping", said King County Animal Care and Control Interim Manager, Nancy McKenney. "Now you can check out the sales in stores, and visit with some pets who would love to have a home for the holidays, all in one convenient location." The store space was donated by the Kent Station mall management, and King County Animal Care and Control did not pay for the retail space.

As an additional holiday gift to adopters, all adoption fees have been waived to ensure as many adoptions as possible in advance of potential flooding risk from the Green River and possible evacuation of the Kent animal shelter. Residents can take home a new pet for just the cost of the pet license. This includes spay/neuter and all vaccinations. Previously, adoption fees had ranged from $30 for an adult cat, to $75 for dogs, puppies and kittens.

Visit the Season of HOPE adoption event during these times:

Kent Station* Shopping Mall
417 Ramsay Way
Kent, WA 98032
*Across from Claire's
Wednesday December 2 to Sunday December 20
Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

If you can't make it to the mall during the adoption hours this holiday season, adoptable cats and dogs will also be available at the Kent and Bellevue (Crossroads) animal shelters.

The Kent shelter has adjusted its operating hours to accommodate a winter schedule and staff reductions in the 2010 budget, effective Tuesday, December 1:

King County Animal Care and Control Shelter
21615 64th Ave South
Kent, WA 98032
Monday, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday to Friday, 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.

These adjusted hours will enable the shelter to remain open to the public 7 days per week. Staff will remain on hand at the shelter to care for animals during non-operating hours, and the operation of field services will remain the same. Operating hours at the Bellevue (Crossroads) shelter location remain unchanged.

"This slight adjustment in hours at the Kent shelter will allow us to continue to serve the public, continue full field services, and stay open 7 days per week to allow residents to find their new furry friend" said McKenney.

Hours for the new schedule were determined after analysis of the least busy times at the Kent shelter, in order to have the least impact on service to residents searching for a new or lost pet.

This media release is also posted online at http://www.kingcounty.gov/safety/AnimalServices/news.aspx.

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King County Animal Care and Control's service area includes unincorporated King County and 32 contracting cities. The agency accepts all animals and has been promoting responsible pet ownership and providing animal related services to both people and animals for over 37 years.