Kansas City may take back animal control from KC Pet Project. What does nonprofit do now?
The nonprofit KC Pet Project’s role in providing animal control for Kansas City has come under scrutiny this week after city officials said they have been receiving complaints.
So what exactly does KC Pet Project do for the city?
In addition to running Kansas City’s animal shelter, KC Pet Project has since 2020 operated the animal control unit, the Animal Services Division, under contract with the city government. Those duties include response to animal-related concerns and emergencies, investigations of animal cruelty and animal welfare concerns, and investigations of animal bites.
Questions about how KC Pet Project responds to extreme cases of animal attack were raised last month when a man was mauled to death by a pack of dogs in south Kansas City. In the weeks since, police and KC Pet Project have not answered questions about their response to the attack or the current whereabouts of the dogs.
This week, City Manager Brian Platt and Third District at-Large Councilwoman Melissa Patterson Hazley said the city has been receiving complaints about animal control services and intend to take the duties back from KC Pet Project instead of renewing the nonprofit’s contract.
On Friday, The Star requested from the city a copy of the contract that KC Pet Project is operating under. The city declined to immediately provide the contract, with Assistant City Manager Melissa Kozakiewicz writing, “Due to the nature of RFP process I’m not sure what we can share.” The city did not immediately respond to a formal public records request made under the Missouri Sunshine Law.
KC Pet Project declined on Friday a request to immediately provide a copy of its policies. Tori Fugate, chief communications officer, wrote, “Typically, we have requests for the contract go through records request.” The Star submitted public records requests for the documents but KC Pet Project did not immediately respond.
Here is what we know about the services KC Pet Project provides:
What does KC Pet Project do now?
KC Pet Project’s Animal Services Division completes these tasks, according to the organization’s most recent annual report.
Issue criminal citations for violations of the Kansas City Municipal Code of Ordinances
Give out citations to owners for who didn’t register their dangerous or potentially dangerous dog
Answer phone calls to KC Pet Project and through the 311 system
Seize or impound animals, including strays and those on watch for rabies after biting someone
Investigate dog and cat bites
How many animal bites does KC Pet Project respond to?
In 2023, KC Pet Project investigated a total of 1,355 dog and cat bites. Of those, 479, or 35%, occurred off an owner’s property, including bites by stray dogs, according to the nonprofit’s annual report.
That year, the nonprofit issued 17 citations to owners for failing to comply with the mandatory ordinance requirements of owning a declared dangerous or potentially dangerous dog.
The nonprofit also issued 762 citations for offense such as animal neglect, failing to spay/neuter, failing to obtain a city license, dogs running at large and animals creating a public nuisance.
KC Pet Project reported impounding 3,396 animals and responding to almost 40,000 calls.
When does KC Pet Project’s contract with the city end?
KC Pet Project was given a one-year contract extension in May while the city put the new animal control contract out for public bid, according to Patterson Hazley. She said no other organizations applied.
Recently, the selection committee recommended the city not go forward with a contract renewal with KC Pet Project, and Patterson Hazley is putting forward a resolution calling for the city to take over again.
Kansas City Manager Brian Platt has 30 days to investigate what a transition would look like if the city decided to take back the responsibility of animal control and present it to the council.
What are the laws around dangerous dogs in Kansas City?
Someone in Kansas City can keep a dog that has bitten or severely injured a human or animal, chased someone in an aggressive manner or killed an animal if they register it with the city.
To register the pet, the owner needs to have an enclosure, microchip, a sign that says “Dangerous Dog,” insurance on the dog for over $100,000 and a fee of up to $250.
The Star’s Noelle Alviz-Gransee contributed to this report.
This story was originally published December 7, 2024 at 6:00 AM.
