Organization to Assume Operations of Services on December 1, 2020
Kansas City, MO, July 23, 2020 – Today, the City Council of Kansas City, MO voted on the contract for KC Pet Project to assume operations of animal control services for the city. In October 2018, the City of Kansas City, MO issued an RFP to privatize Animal Control services for the city. KC Pet Project responded to the bid and submitted their extensive proposal in January 2019. They were the only official bidder to respond to the RFP. KC Pet Project representatives had the opportunity to present twice to the selection committee, once in February and another time in April. In August 2019, the city council voted in favor of privatizing animal control services and the City and KC Pet Project began negotiating the contract. On Wednesday, the contract was discussed at the Transportation, Infrastructure and Operations Committee of City Council and it advanced out of committee with a vote of 3 to 1.
With a vote of 11-2, it signifies a new day for animal control services in Kansas City. KC Pet Project has been working for the past year to formulate their new Animal Services Division and will launch a national search for a Director of Animal Services. On September 1, 2020, KC Pet Project will begin a transition period to work alongside current KCMO Animal Health and Public Safety Officers and will assume operations of all Animal Services for Kansas City, MO on December 1, 2020.
“KC Pet Project is excited to bring progressive, best practices to animal services in Kansas City, MO,” said Teresa Johnson, President/CEO of KC Pet Project. “For eight years, Kansas City residents have entrusted us with operating a lifesaving animal shelter, and we will apply that same level of service to our new Animal Services Division. We look forward to collaborating with our community to find efficiencies in those services and enhance public safety, all while providing support, education, access to care and resources to the community.”
KC Pet Project will work with a transition team comprised of the top experts in the animal control field along with officers from other Kansas City metro cities and law enforcement officials. The organization will begin to post job openings soon who will all work out of the new Kansas City Campus for Animal Care. Positions will be available for manager-level, animal services offices, and resource officers
KC Pet Project’s Animal Services Division will be focused on enhancing public safety and finding efficiencies in these services. Officers will be embedded in the communities they serve to be resources to the residents in those areas, providing support and education. They will be focused on enforcing animal cruelty and neglect laws while upholding animal ordinances. Officers will be trained and certified by the National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA) and will have continuing education each year.
The mission of KC Pet Project’s Animal Services Division is to create a safe and humane Kansas City by improving community services and efficiencies. KC Pet Project is also participating in a national pilot program with 13 other organizations called Human Animal Support Services (HASS) where animal protection services and public safety is a key element of this program.
“For nearly 8 years, KC Pet Project has handled dangerous dog cases, animal cruelty cases, dog fighting busts, hoarding cases, severe medical cases, and the rehabilitation and care for victims of horrific animal cruelty and neglect,” said Teresa Johnson, President/CEO of KC Pet Project. “While we haven’t been on the front lines of those seizures, we’ve worked every day with these same animals and same owners. All of these experiences, along with the training and our progressive lifesaving expertise in sheltering operations gives us confidence we can successfully perform the duties required for Kansas City’s Animal Services Division. We look forward to implementing change to enhance public safety and improve efficiencies in this department.”