Report: County animal shelters "deplorable"

The animal shelters run by King County in Bellevue and Kent are "deplorable," with dogs and cats suffering from high rates of disease and inadequate housing, exercise and social contact, according to a report today from a citizen advisory committee.

The county's shelter in Bellevue's Crossroads neighborhood is "unsuitable for the sheltering of animals" and the larger shelter in Kent "has been badly neglected for many years, and is plainly inadequate to provide for the animals' most basic needs," according to the report.

The committee recommended the immediate renovation of the two shelters, an overhaul of the county's animal-care program, and the hiring of new employees, including a shelter consultant.

The nine-person committee, made up of animal-welfare experts, was reactivated last spring by the Metropolitan King County Council to investigate the animals under the county's care.

King County Councilmember Julia Patterson said the committee's recommendations should be implemented and Councilmember Dow Constantine said "immediate and decisive action is required," according to a written statement.

The head of the citizen committee is Julie White, executive director of the Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project, and the vice chair is Derek Yoshinaka, a volunteer at the Kent shelter.

Ashley Bach: 206-464-2567 or abach@seattletimes.com