I know everyone is feeling the strain from the unusually high numbers of animals arriving – with 1,445 new dogs and cats having arrived at our shelter in May. In just the first five months, we’ve already taken in more than 6,000 dogs and cats – well ahead of last year’s record numbers. Stray pets being brought in by the public are already up 38% over last year’s record setting numbers (with a 68% increase in stray cats) and have increased 130% from just 5 years ago.
A huge surge in underage kittens arriving last month resulted in the largest number of kittens ever sent to foster homes in the month of May – with a record 421 neonatal and underage kittens going into foster homes within hours of their arrival at the shelter.
We celebrated the three-year anniversary of our Keep ‘Em Together, KC program in May. Since the launch of the program 5,673 local pet families (with 9,272 pets) have been supported by KC Pet Project with more than $304,000.00 in financial assistance provided to pet owners, and more than 298,000 lbs. of pet foods distributed to residents in our community. Wow.
Here are just a few more of the notable metrics reported from your departments/programs last month:
- Total dog and cat adoptions are ahead of last year’s numbers, but the average length of stay for larger dogs has increased to more than 21 days. Pet adoption numbers are not keeping pace with the number of dogs and cats arriving. In May, 1,055 dogs and cats left (adopted, returned home, or were transferred out) but 1,445 new dogs and cats arrived.
- Returned adoptions for dogs in May were the lowest number they have been in more than a year – with only 3% percent (14 dogs out of 430 adopted) being returned due to incompatible circumstances. Great job Canine Care matchmaking team!
- Despite the enormous increase in homeless animals arriving and length of stay increasing for dogs, we achieved a 93.8% Save Rate in May (94.6% dogs, 92.5% cats).
- Lost/impounded pets being returned to their families through our Return-to-Home Team and our Animal Services Officers is up 86% over 2018 totals.
- In May, Animal Services Officers issued 76 criminal citations through the municipal court for violations of Kansas City’s Code of Ordinances – with 354 Municipal Court citations having been issued year-to-date.
- Officers responded to 1,887 case activities in May, travelling a total of 13,938 miles throughout the city, impounding 313 animals, and returning an additional 29 lost pets back to their homes without having to impound them.
- 853 volunteers gave 4,608.12 hours of services to KCPP in May – the equivalent of 26 full time employees. We currently have 1,624 active volunteers in our system.
- Our shelter veterinarians have already performed 2,905 spay/neuter surgeries so far this year – nearly 300 more surgeries ahead of last year at this time. In addition, our doctors have performed 206 specialty surgeries in 2023, including amputations, tumor removals, gunshot wound and laceration repairs, dental surgeries, and more.
- $11,182.00 was subsidized by KCPP in May in Reclaim Fee Forgiveness to help 113 families reunite with 127 lost pets without the worry of having to pay expensive fees/fines to take their lost pets back home.
- In the past five months, 142 dogs that originally arrived as lost/seized, were also spayed/neutered at no charge through our shelter’s vet clinic before returning home.
- We shared the heartwarming story of Sweetie, a dog that survived life-threatening gunshot wounds to the neck/throat/jaw thanks to the work of our incredible veterinary team and was able to be reunited with her very grateful owner.
- We also shared the unforgettable photos and story of Georgie, a dog that Chief Ryan Johnson rescued from a storm drain. The scared, hungry dog had been stuck underground for two days with only his nose sticking out – but with a little assistance from the KC Fire Department, Chief Johnson was able to lift the 75 lb. dog to safety.
This report just scratches the surface of the incredible, life-changing work you and your staff do every day. It’s hard sometimes to know or to see the impact you have on the people you come in contact with every day. This work is hard — and you’re doing an amazing job and should be so proud – I know I’m so proud of all of you!
Teresa Johnson
President/CEO of KC Pet Project