King County Animal Care and Control has stopped accepting animals surrendered by their owners at its Kent shelter in preparation to move out the flood zone, according to a press release.

This will allow staff to cut back on the number of pets that will have to be transported from the Kent shelter to an alternate shelter location in time for flood season.

Owners are encouraged to take animals to a designated partner agency or make alternate arrangements for pets that need to find a new forever home.

The goal is to have alternatives chosen before the first flood and have the shelter population as low as possible in advance of the closure.

The Crossroads shelter location in Bellevue will remain open during flood season because it is not affected, however, owner surrendered animals will no longer be accepted at either of the two locations.

In 2008, 3,440 animals were surrendered by their owners over the counter at the two King County shelter locations.

“Even as our alternate shelter location is being finalized, there are plenty of things we can do right now in anticipation of our relocation out of the flood zone,” said Interim Manger Nancy McKenney. “We are working with our partner groups to make sure that those who feel they need to surrender their animals have a place to go, and that we will still be able to move quickly when the time to relocate comes.”

Pets that are surrendered by their owners are not considered homeless but their owners have reached the conclusion that they no longer want that animal for various reasons.

“We encourage anyone thinking of surrendering their animal for behavioral issues to first consider contacting local professional trainers or consult with their own veterinarian for alternative options such as obedience classes,” McKenney said. “We understand that people may have a host of reasons for wanting to surrender their animals, from behavior, to a change in living conditions, or a change in life circumstances.”

By discontinuing owner-surrendered animal intake, King County Animal Care and Control will still be able to serve the lost and stray pets that come to the shelter who do not already have an owner or a home.

Pets that are strays and do not have a home before coming to the shelter will still be accepted at the Kent location and at any future location to which county animal services are relocated during flood season.

Animal Care and Control accepted 3,758 stray animals brought to the shelter by citizens or found by animal control officers in 2008.

FEMA has also prepared information on how to prepare your pet for an emergency with a disaster kit that owners can assemble ahead of time, and keep on hand in case it is needed.

A list of partner groups and other re-homing suggestions is available on the King County Animal Care and Control home page: www.kingcounty.gov/pets.