Kansas City, Missouri – Kansas City is starting a new chapter in how it handles animal control. It is moving important duties around in an effort to make services more efficient and better meet the needs of citizens and their pets.
The City will formally take over animal control services from the KC Pet Project on July 30. The KC Pet Project has been Kansas City’s animal services contractor since 2012. The Neighborhood Services Department’s new Animal Services Division will now be in charge of enforcing animal laws and responding to calls in the field. Even though things have changed, KC Pet Project will still run the city’s animal shelter in Swope Park, located at 7077 Elmwood Avenue.
The change comes after the City Council voted in March to transfer enforcement responsibilities in-house. Ordinance 250188 makes this change official, while Ordinance 250246 affirms that KC Pet Project will continue to run the shelter. The goal is to improve the city’s ability to directly oversee things while keeping the nonprofit’s effective shelter administration going for more than ten years.
“With our recent changes, Kansas Citians will be able to rely on responsive and strong animal care services,” said Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, per KCMO news release. “With enhanced collaboration between Kansas City and KC Pet Project, we’re ensuring humane treatment of animals in our city, consistent enforcement of our laws, and our continuing support of the exceptional shelter operations that KC Pet Project has provided for over a decade.”
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To get ready for the shift, the City sponsored three community feedback sessions and an online poll to hear directly from residents. People said they needed faster responses and more involvement in animal-related concerns. In response, the new Animal Services Division is hiring officers, dispatchers, and a community engagement liaison whose job it is to reach out to people and teach them about animals.
Forest Decker, the head of the Neighborhood Services Department, highlighted the significance of the collaboration with the KC Pet Project.
“Kansas Citians told us they want more responsive enforcement of animal ordinances and better engagement with residents to ensure compliance,” said Decker. “With the City’s regulatory authority and KC Pet Project’s deep experience in animal welfare, we look forward to an efficient and cooperative relationship.”
On the other hand, KC Pet Project will focus more on its main goal, which is to improve the health and happiness of animals and those who care for them. Kate Meghji, the new CEO, said that the change will help the nonprofit reach more people and save more lives. She joined the company in May. KC Pet Project’s impact keeps growing, with more than 16,000 animals treated for each year at 14 facilities across the metro region.
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People can still call 311 to report problems with animals, and starting on July 30, they can also utilize the myKCMO app or website for these kinds of requests. As the new system goes live, more information will be accessible at kcmo.gov/animalservices and kcpetproject.org.
