Effective June 12, the animals for adoption at the Crossroads animal shelter will be transferred to the Kent shelter location and the Crossroads location will close to the public.

The move will allow for more efficient staffing at the Kent shelter location, improved care for animals, and save the county utility and lease costs. The Crossroads location will remain a non-public base of operations for Animal Control Officers assigned to East or North King County, and may occasionally be used to support adoption events and foster care programs

The Crossroads shelter is the smaller of two county-run animal services locations. On average, it can hold just over a dozen adoptable animals.

Going forward, stray or owner-surrendered animals that would have gone to the Crossroads location should be taken to the main Kent shelter for processing and adoption. The Kent shelter services roughly 7,000 stray or surrendered pets per year.

By closing the Crossroads location, the county will save roughly $75,000 annually in lease and utility expenses by 2012. Staff will be transferred from the Crossroads location to the Kent shelter, which will allow for improved animal care and customer service for the most animals.

On June 12, all animals will be taken from Crossroads to the shelter in Kent located at 21615 64th Avenue South, Kent, WA 98032. Please call 206-296 7387 (PETS) for current hours and driving directions, or visit www.kingcounty.gov/pets.