Animal Shelters

St. Louis County Executive Sam Page is asking the county council to use $3 million of its NFL settlement funds for its animal shelter.

Since St. Louis County took back control of the animal shelter from the APA, the facility has failed multiple state inspections. Dr. Kanika Cunningham, the county's health director, said a human resources investigation is in process.

St. Louis County Animal and Control Adoption Center continues to work to stop the spread of the deadly dog virus that spread through the pet shelter last month, which ultimately caused euthanizations.

Rhonda Belics is alleging that Dr. Kanika Cunningham told her to lie in response to a Sunshine Law request seeking a secret proposal to euthanize animals at the St. Louis County animal shelter.

Members of Metro East rescue groups have worked for hours to secure and treat 26 dogs they found on a property along Waterloo Road near Millstadt.

Dr. Kanika Cunningham says she did not turn the proposal over in response to a Sunshine Law request because “it was a suggestion. It is not a plan.”

The county has said it will not use the contingency plan it developed that included population control through widespread euthanasia. The Animal Protective Association stops operating the shelter at the end of the day Friday.

The shelter has flourished under the purview of the Animal Protective Association, but now that the county is taking back control, advocates are concerned that the animals will suffer. The shelter had previously come under fire for improper care.

The Animal Protective Association took over at the Olivette facility in late 2022, following an independent audit that faulted the county for its handling of the shelter, including controversial euthanasia practices. St. Louis County officials say the shelter is back up to standards and will return to county control.

Several shelters in the St. Louis area are at capacity because of the high number of animals being turned in.