While the bottom line for most Kansas City businesses is to get bigger, there's at least one that wants to shrink its clientele and services.
"I hope these animals won't come through," said Irene Sielder, one of the many KC Pet Project volunteers who care for the 10,000 animals that come to the shelter each year. "I am hoping we can educate the public so that when they get an animal they know how to take care of it and will keep it in their home forever so they will need less and less of our services."
Dimitri, a 2-year-old male Chihuahua, and Erin, a KC Pet project volunteer; more info: http://kcpetproject.org/adopt/animal-details/?aid=33494362&cid=11&tid=Dog
But before KC Pet Project can get smaller, it's first got to get bigger in order to meet the demands of the 10,000 animals that come through the animal shelter's doors every year.
"We have so many animals within this city that are looking for great homes," said Irene, who has been a volunteer for the last six years. "The larger we are, the more animals we can save and that's what we are all about."
Little Joe, a mix-breed puppy, and Jenny, a KC Pet Project volunteer
In 1972, Kansas City opened its city animal shelter, which is now home to KC Pet Project.
In the four decades since then, demand has grown while the space has virtually stayed the same. But now the city planner, the parks department and KC Pet Project may have come up with a solution.
"We are still taking in 10,000 animals a year at our current facility," explained Tori Fugate, the director of marketing for KC Pet Project. "If we were not taking those animals they would be out in the community running as strays, their futures would be undetermined if KC Pet Project was not caring for them."
Lambykins, a one-year-old female Beagle, and Paul, a KC Pet Project Volunteer. More info: http://kcpetproject.org/adopt/animal-details/?aid=33355105&cid=11&tid=Dog
That's why Kansas City wants to move KC Pet Project from its 14,000 square-foot facility on the east side of town to a brand new 60,000 square-foot shelter within Swope Park.
"We will have meeting spaces for boards and other activities, we will be able to do additional training classes with how to keep pets in the home, how to work with the pets in your home as well as a lot of other training opportunities. It's not just going to be an adoption facility. It will be so much more," Fugate said.
Hoss, a mix-breed puppy, and Nolan, an adoption counselor at KC Pet Project
Before KC Pet Project can build the shelter at Swope Park, the measure must first go on the ballot and before voters for approval. The city told 41 Action News they are unsure which ballot the shelter will appear on, but they should have that answer in the coming days and we will of course let you know as soon as the info becomes available.
Click here to see the full list of adoptable animals at KC Pet Project.
Ralphie, a male Jack Russell puppy, and Morgan, the adoption manager for KC Pet Project
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Terra Hall can be reached at terra.hall@kshb.com.
