Volunteer vets to treat animals at 2 shelters

The Metropolitan King County Council, declaring "a health crisis" at two county animal shelters, called on them Monday to open their doors — possibly as soon as this morning — to a team of veterinarians that has volunteered to treat sick dogs and cats.

"The animals need help and they need it now — and they're going to get it," Councilmember Dow Constantine said before the council passed a motion saying the county would immediately cooperate with the volunteer vets and begin an aggressive adoption program.

A report from a veterinary team from the University of California, Davis, released last week said animals weren't being properly cared for in the Kent and Bellevue shelters, and said — in contrast to official county figures — that overcrowding and rates of illness and death worsened during 2007.

Dr. Brad Crauer, a Redmond vet who helped rescue animals on the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, said a veterinary team is prepared to visit the local shelters as early as this morning to organize a volunteer effort and remove some of the sickest animals to private hospitals.

Crauer said several hospitals and 10 to 12 vets have volunteered to help while the county makes long-term plans for improving the shelters. Those plans won't be implemented for several months, he said.

"That doesn't help the animals that are there right now. That's where we come in — calling in the cavalry. What can we do as a community to help the situation and relieve some of the stressors?" Crauer said.

Carolyn Ableman, who oversees the shelters as director designee of records and licensing services, welcomed the volunteer vets.

"We're preparing ourselves for that," she said. "We're happy to receive more help."

Keith Ervin: 206-464-2105 or kervin@seattletimes.com