Northeast News
September 11, 2013

Despite operating out of an aging building that’s too small, the Kansas City Pet Project has managed to achieve a “no kill” status for 12 consecutive months.

Kansas City Pet Project, which operates the city of Kansas City’s animal shelter, saved more than 6,000 animals between July 2012 and June 2013, accomplishing a 90 percent or greater live release rate for cats and dogs.

“This makes the Kansas City, Missouri animal shelter the fourth largest open admission shelter in the country to achieve this,” said Brent Toellner, president of KC Pet Project.

The national no kill philosophy allows for a small percentage of animals to be euthanized for injury, sickness or aggression. Before KC Pet Project took over the shelter in January of 2012, the shelter’s live release rate ranged from 31 to 61 percent during the previous five years.

“It’s wonderful to hear the great news,” City Council member John Sharp said during an August city Public Safety and Emergency Services meeting. “We’re all proud of your work. It’s just phenomenal to me that you’ve been able to achieve this with the severe limitations you face at the city shelter.”

During the 12-month period, KC Pet Project also adopted out 3,730 dogs and cats and reunited 1,035 dogs and cats with their owners. Another 1,280 dogs and cats were transferred to other shelters and rescue groups.

This year through July, more than 640 animals were reunited with owners and 2,264 animals were adopted. Of the adoptions, 970 came from the adoption center in the Zona Rosa Shopping Center which opened in November of 2012.

“It was our goal when we took over the shelter to change the culture and expectations of the shelter and I feel like we’ve done that,” Toellner said. “Sustainability is the next challenge we face. We continue to handle the large number of animals that come to the shelter each day with major limitations due to an outdated facility. But if we continue to build on the support from the city and the community, I believe we are well positioned for long-term success.”

2012 Animal Shelter Stats

•6,087 animals taken in to shelter

•3,013 animals adopted

•1,583 animals transferred to rescue groups

•955 animals returned to owner