RAYTOWN, Mo. — Raytown’s Board of Aldermen unanimously passed a change some say will save not only money but also animals’ lives.
Animal advocates and city staff recommended the board shorten the impound time for dogs and cats from 10 business days to five days. That would bring Raytown in line with animal control practices in most other cities like Kansas City, Missouri.
"Since it is business days, most animals currently stay for 14 days," Erin Morse, Founder of Midwest Animal ResQ, said of the current city code.
The city pays Raytown Animal Hospital to hold dogs and cats until they can be released to Midwest Animal ResQ for adoption. Advocates like Morse argue cutting the hold time in half will save the city money and allow them to help pets sooner.
Many voiced their support at a board of aldermen meeting Tuesday night. No one from Raytown Animal Hospital spoke during public comments.
The unanimous vote to shorten the impound time came as a big relief to Morse.
"I can finally exhale, and I'm so excited for the city to do the right thing financially and also for the pets that are going to get care and enrichment and potential homes in half the time," she said.
