Nearly a month ago, amid serious allegations of cruel and neglectful treatment of animals, the city of Kansas City announced that they were cancelling the contract with Veterinary Management Corp for management of the city shelter.
Since the contract was cancelled, volunteers have had limited access to the shelter -- which has caused a host of problems.
So where are we now?
Well. The contract official expires April 30. According to officials at city hall, the city is hiring a temporary shelter director that will oversee the shelter operations until a new group is found to take over the shelter (a time that is to last no more than 6 months).
Meanwhile, an RFP is yet to go out (one month later). There is at least one accomplished organization that is planning on submitting a bid; meanwhile, the city appears to be actively seeking out more organizations to submit RFPs.
I am an optimist...and as such, I do think we'll end up in a very good spot for the animals within the next few months.
But, in the short term, things are not good for the dogs and cats at the shelter. We badly need your help in the short term before we can make a full transition.
On Saturday, April 9th, at 10am -- Wayside Waifs is holding a Foster Care Orientation Meeting in the Wayside Community Room. They are looking to pull numerous animals from the KCMO animal shelter and find them foster homes. Some of the animals may be ill. But they all need our help.
If you've ever considered fostering -- show up on Saturday. The future looks great for us, but we badly need your help in the short term. Please show up on Saturday. Adopt a pet. Offer to foster a pet. If we are to solve the problem of healthy/treatable animals being killed in our shelters, it is going to take community support.
The long-term future looks great. But if you can help out in the short term, please come out on Saturday.
Do we know if they adopt out of state? I posted this article on the No Kill Missouri facebook page and I had someone ask this. Please let me know asap! Thank you.
Posted by: Crystal | April 07, 2011 at 11:43 PM
Yes, they will adopt out of state. At least, that's what's stated on their website, and I have personally seen them adopt out of state, or be willing to, before. Transport can usually be arranged.
Posted by: MDog | April 08, 2011 at 09:08 AM