In response to the recent article addressing changes in Renton Animal Control Services and a poll in which Renton Reporter readers appear strongly in favor of the city’s proposal to construct a new animal shelter, the Cat Rescue Community wishes to communicate our concerns about the current situation.

The new shelter is in the planning stages only. Renton’s unclaimed pets are no longer being accepted by Seattle Humane Society. The contract has expired and no further negotiations are planned. In place of an established sheltering system, a patchwork of caring local veterinarians and private citizens are attempting to bridge the gap with varying degrees of success.

The city maintains outdoor dog runs constructed in the 1970s. The wooden doghouses in the runs cannot be properly sanitized. Impounded pets risk exposure to infectious diseases as well as the cold and rain. Renton’s two AC officers physically responded to 3,500 calls last year. Now they will have the additional responsibility of working out dispositions/transfers of unclaimed pets to private shelters and rescues, which are generally full with long waiting lists.

Conditions are minimal for dogs but far worse for cats. Housing for cats is a dark shed between noisy kennels; it is not temperature controlled. Impounded cats are caged without human contact 24/7 except while being fed.

Impounded pets are posted on the Renton Police Animal Control Facebook page. Unclaimed pets apparently will be moved to an available rescue, but no transparency regarding outcome is planned, so it may be impossible to locate a lost pet after the 72-hour stray hold.

Without a doubt a better facility is needed for holding pets, but a humane Interim Plan is also critically needed. In the meantime, Renton pet owners should immediately microchip and license pets if they have not done so.

Cathleen Powell and Elizabeth Rogers,
Renton Highlands