ST. LOUIS COUNTY (KMOX) - Dogs vying for people's attention and maybe, a chance to get out of the cages and taken for a walk in the sunshine. Nearly 200 dogs are being housed in the very small St. Louis County Animal Care and Control, capacity is 80.
It's a problem at many shelters, too many animals in over-crowded conditions, but not enough people to foster or adopt.
The St. Louis County Executive Doctor Sam Page made a plea to help make a dog's life better. There are many reasons, people move and cannot take their pets with them, a pet parent dies, and sometimes people are not financially capable of taking care of their animals.
Sam Page has asked the County Council for more funding to expand ACC, but they haven't made a decision. Last week, the council did think it was a good idea to double adoption rates from $40.00 to $80.00. It takes effect October 29th. Page vetoed it, and the council overrode his vote. Page is also pushing to have more free adoption events around the area.
The County ACC shelter is under new leadership, Malik Johnson, and according to volunteers KMOX spoke with have greatly improved since the Summer. Doctor Kanika Cunningham is the County Public Health Director and oversees ACC.
Right now at St. Louis County Animal Care and Control there are 33 dogs who have been at the shelter longer than 30 days.