Count Reopens Olivette Animal Shelter

Post author:independentnws
Post published:August 22, 2024
Post category:County Government

PA ADOPTION CENTER EXPANDS, RESUMES ST. LOUIS

COUNTY OPERATIONOF OLIVETTE ANIMAL SHELTER

The APA Adoption Center and St. Louis County are restructuring their partnership, placing operations of the County animal shelter in Olivette back under the County Department of Public Health (DPH). Over the past two years, the APA and Department of Health have worked closely together to make a series of changes that have improved the adoption process and streamlined operations.

During the transition over the next several months, the APA and St. Louis County will continue looking at partnership opportunities to help get more animals into loving homes. The transition will enable the APA to focus on increasing adoptions and shelter capacity in the region, as well as expanding its pet owner support programs.

The APA assumed operations at the County shelter in Olivette in December 2022 after a County Request for Proposals selection process to help bring the shelter into line with modern practices.

In that time at the Olivette shelter, APA and DPH have enabled nearly 4,000 adoptions, reunited more than 2,000 pets with their families, placed nearly 1,600 pets with foster families, transferred more than 1,000 to rescue partners, and cared for more than 9,000 animals in total.

These results have only been possible because of the dedicated work of the APA team, more than 66,000 essential volunteer hours, and the partnership of St. Louis County.

“Transitioning these duties back to St. Louis County will enable the APA to focus our energies on our next major initiative and build more adoption capacity in our region to serve more animals and families,” Marissa Curran, Board President of the APA Adoption Center, said. “We will have details to share on the expansion of our community programs that keep people and pets together and

shelter capacity in the coming months. In the meantime, we will be focused on a smooth transition at the Olivette shelter with the care and well-being of the animals, as always, our priority.

“We appreciate the partnership with APA and the work the organization has done with DPH to make the County shelter a better operation,” said County Executive Dr. Sam Page. “Our shelter is inmuch better shape, and we have the tools in place to continue improving the important work DPH does in animal control, including adoption of animals.