Animal Shelters

The contract was set to expire next month.

The Bel-Nor Democrat spoke about the county’s budget problems and an uproar over the county animal shelter on the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air.

Pet food pantries and affordable veterinary clinics aim to keep families and pets together, though animal shelter leaders say more support is needed as residents face housing constraints and financial hardship.

The council voted 6 to 1 to express no confidence in Kanika Cunningham’s leadership of the county animal shelter.

A report from the council’s ethics committee accuses Dr. Kanika Cunningham of mismanaging the shelter and recommends that a vote of no confidence be held.

The county council voted unanimously last week to override St. Louis County Executive Sam Page’s veto, passing a bill that raises adoption fees at the shelter from $40 to $80.

APA North will provide space for adoptions, veterinary services, community programs and pet-owner support services.

Animal Protective Association leadership and county employees testified before the council in an ongoing investigation of the struggling shelter.

The organization has 18 months to submit its site development plan for the intersection of Benham and Redman Roads to the Planning Commission.

St. Louis County Executive Sam Page has asked the county council for nearly $21 million of Rams settlement money for shelter improvements.