Drafter
Clerk 09/16/2009
Title
AN ORDINANCE facilitating the transfer of animals from the animal care and control section to rescue organizations; and adding a section to K.C.C. chapter 11.04.
Body
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
1. Ordinance 15801 established that the total number of cats and dogs euthanized by the animal care and control section is not to exceed fifteen percent in 2009.
2. Partnerships with animal rescue groups are critical to reducing the animal care and control section's euthanasia rate.
3. In transferring animals from King County animal shelters, animal rescue organizations reduce overcrowding at King County animal shelters and help animals find permanent homes.
4. According to the King County Animal Care and Control Program Report, in 2008 there were one thousand five hundred nineteen transfers to rescue groups from the animal care and control section.
5. The executive has reported to council that the current financial crisis will likely cause significant reductions in funding for the animal care and control section.
6. Findings from three independent studies illustrated significant shortcomings in the shelter and care animals at the animal care and control section receive.
7. It is the best interest of the animals in King County shelters and the taxpayers of King County to establish policies and procedures that facilitate the transfer of animals from King County shelters to rescue organizations.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
NEW SECTION. SECTION 1. There is hereby added to K.C.C. chapter 11.04 a new section to read as follows:
A. The following definitions apply to this section
1. "Animal rescue organization" means a nonprofit organization that is registered as a nonprofit corporation by the state of Washington or as a organization under Section 501(c)(3) the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)(3)), or government organization devoted to animal welfare that takes animals from the ani...
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