Summarizing a June 18 report to the Burien City Council on the city’s controversial CARES animal control program, City Manager Mike Martin said Burien is saving $100,000-$300,000 a year with CARES.
“Never in my career, have I seen something going so right characterized as going so wrong,” Martin declared.
He said being part of King County’s regional service would cost Burien over $340,000 a year. Burien collects $60,000-$70,000 a year in pet license fees and adds about $50,000 from the general fund for the CARES service, according to Martin.
Martin dubbed the CARES program as a grass roots “Burienesque operation.” He noted the city transferred animal control from a public agency—King County, to a private group.
CARES is a group of volunteers led by The Mark Restaurant co-owner Debra George that was awarded Burien’s contract to handle animal control services.
After a speaker said CARES does not have nonprofit status with the Internal Revenue Service, George said the group’s tax-exempt status is pending.
Mayor Brian Bennett called for a qualified third-party group to assess CARES because of the controversy surrounding it. Councilman Jack Block Jr. suggested the Washington State University School of Veterinary Medicine as a possible resource.
George displayed a chart showing CARES has fielded 2,800 calls, taken in 474 animals and adopted out 142 animals.
She said 47 animals had been euthanized for medical or behavior reasons. CARES has a 10 percent euthanasia rate while King County’s rate is 14 percent, according to George
Councilman Bob Edgar questioned George about the 285 animals unaccounted for in the statistics. George replied most of the animals had been returned to their owners.
George said CARES employs a full-time animal control officer who is on call seven days a week.
She said the group’s new animal shelter is 80 percent completed with a grand opening scheduled for July 17.
Public speakers differed on the quality of CARES current facility.
Burien resident Ed Dacy said when he visited, the facility was very clean. However, Burien resident Debi Wagner said she found feces on the floor and smelled a bad odor. Wagner said no one is apparently at the facility with the animals after hours.
Councilman Block said he favors professional animal control services but said the council’s priority must be on “the two-legged citizens of Burien.”
He added the city should be selling more pet licenses to make the animal control program self-supporting.
Councilwoman Lucy Krakowiak asked Martin about a pet license pilot program.
Martin said staff members are working on it.
