There was an incredible amount of work across our organization that went into saving so many lives and supporting hundreds of people and pets in our community in March and here are just some of the highlights from the report:
- We provided care for 1,240 dogs, cats, and other pets in March – including 781 dogs, the largest number of dogs ever received in any month in our city’s history.
- Total intake of dogs and cats for March was the highest ever recorded in our 11-year history – up 50% since 2019.
- The numbers of pets being surrendered by their owners is up 100% since 2019. Housing issues, including the cost of housing, loss of home, moving/relocating, eviction, and housing restrictions were the number one reason pets were surrendered by their families in March (163 pets).
- Stray dogs and cats continued to flood into our shelter in March. Stray animals being brought in by the public were up 60% over last March and a 106% increase in what was being brought to KCPP in March 2019.
- We sent 291 dogs/puppies to foster homes last month and volunteers took a record 137 dogs out of the shelter on a Dog’s Day Out.
- In March, our Animal Services Officers issued a record 107 criminal citations through the municipal court for violations of Kansas City’s Code of Ordinances, responded to 1,326 unique Animal Services cases, travelled 13,360 miles throughout the city, impounded 245 animals, and returned an additional 24 pets back to their homes without having to impound them.
- We launched our Pets for Life program in the 64127 zip code – and 260 families with 600 pets benefited directly from pet foods and resources we provided to our community last month. Chewy and the Humane Society of the United States donated 35,000 lbs. of pet foods in March for our program.
- Our Pets for Life team provided more than 1,500 lbs. of dog and cat food, along with cat litter, to our newest Pets for Life community partner, City Union Mission, so they could directly support families with pets in their care network.
I also wanted to make sure you saw the news that our Animal Services Division successfully pursued STATE-level animal cruelty charges through the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office on several cruelty cases and this week an arrest warrant was issued in one of these cases (Jolene the dog). State-level animal cruelty charges weren’t previously being filed in KCMO, so our Animal Services team began working with Jackson County’s Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, and the Kansas City Police Department to hold perpetrators of animal abuse in our community accountable for their actions to the highest extent of the law. There are more state-level cruelty cases being charged through the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office for other cases too that we’ll be sharing.
Another month of great accomplishments during a really tough time in animal welfare. Thank you for all that you do!
Teresa Johnson
President/CEO of KC Pet Project