The St. Louis County Pet Adoption Center received its license to operate last week. The shelter’s license was revoked in May by the Missouri Department of Agriculture after three inspections found sanitation and safety violations at the shelter.
“It was a significant amount of teamwork with internal teams [and] volunteers — everyone truly came together to make sure we were successful,” said Dr. Kanika Cunningham, director of the county's Department of Public Health.
St. Louis County Executive Sam Page has asked the council for nearly $21 million of Rams settlement money for shelter improvements. Additional funding would allow the purchase of proper medication and make expansions to the facility, Cunningham said, adding that such improvements could help the shelter pass future inspections and may prevent the spread of disease. A parvovirus outbreak at the shelter in May resulted in the euthanization of 19 dogs.
“We definitely learned from this outbreak as far as medical management, but we still do not have proper isolation and quarantine rooms, which is critical when you’re managing any type of disease outbreak in a shelter,” she said. “Our intake numbers have tripled since before the pandemic, and we just don't have proper spacing to provide the care.”
Cunningham said she’s hopeful the council will also work with the health department to update ordinances that would help lower shelter population numbers, such as a code amendment that would allow the shelter director to waive or reduce adoption fees and a provision that would allow the shelter to accept gifts, grants and donations that total more than $1,000.
The county’s adoption center is currently at maximum capacity, with 280 animals in its care. Despite the struggles that come with a full animal shelter, longtime volunteer Dale Shuter said she is optimistic about the programs shelter leaders are implementing and the culture they are fostering.
“It really feels like a team — that staff, management [and] volunteers are all working together for a common goal, which is the best outcome possible for these animals that enter the shelter,” Shuter said.
This year, the shelter launched a foster program for the first time in the organization’s history. Cunningham said plans are in the works for spay and neuter clinics and microchip clinics, which she said will roll out in the next 30 to 40 days.
Community engagement, she added, is imperative — not just for the health of the shelter and its animals, but for the well-being of the entire community.
“It's not just a public health thing,” Cunningham said. “[When] you play with the dogs and play with the cats, it actually helps you as an individual. There's something about cuddling with a kitten that can help your own mental health. … [There’s] something unique and special about the human-animal bond. That is what I hope to elevate, so everyone gets to experience that.”
In this episode of St. Louis on the Air, Dr. Kanika Cunningham talks about her vision for the shelter moving forward, and volunteers share why they are hopeful that there are brighter days ahead for the center and its inhabitants. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or click the play button below.
Related Event
What: Community education and microchip event
When: 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: North County Recreation Complex, 2577 Redman Ave., St. Louis, MO 63136
“St. Louis on the Air” brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. The show is produced by Miya Norfleet, Emily Woodbury, Danny Wicentowski, Elaine Cha and Alex Heuer. Darrious Varner is our production assistant. The audio engineer is Aaron Doerr.
