In 2006, the King County animal euthanasia rate was nearly 40 percent. Today, nine out of 10 of cats and dogs in the county’s animal services centers are either reconnected with their owners, or adopted.
To support these services, Regional Animal Services Agency of King County (RASKC) was awarded a $75,000 grant from the Petco Foundation. The grant will be used to help create better spaces for cats, and provide more services for dogs with behavior issues, according King County Executive Dow Constantine.
The county had committed to transforming the agency, and adoption rates have steadily increased. The executive cited continuous improvements, like more spacious condo-style structures to house cats at a facility in Kirkland, Wash., for the improvements.
With the foundation grant, the agency will bring in a behaviorist and trainers who specialize in companion dogs to help staff and volunteers better identify and address behavioral issues. The goal is that these efforts will further increase the county’s adoption rates.
The funding will also upgrade cat kennels at a facility in Kent.
