Business is so brisk at the city animal shelter that people dropping off their animals will have to make an appointment.
Starting April 1, the shelter will require the appointments, its operator said in a press release.
“Scheduling appointments for owner-surrendered animals outside regular adoption hours is the best way to handle the increased traffic in our lobby,” said Brent Toellner, president of the board for the Pet Project.
The pet group began operating the shelter at 4400 Raytown Road about a year ago, and since has a 71 percent increase in public interactions.
More people are dropping off pets and more are adopting them, creating a hectic and crowded lobby, he said.
“Managing intake through appointments will help us lower wait times and avoid potential public safety issues in a way that the current system does not.”
Appointments will also allow pet project staff to work with owners on possible alternatives to giving up their pets, he said.
Those include helping owners find ways to get food and shelter, working with trainers on bad pet behavior and providing humane euthanasia for terminally ill pets.
Appointments will be scheduled within 72 hours. More information is at KCPetProject.org
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