Effective Saturday, June 12, the animals for adoption at the King County Crossroads animal shelter will be transferred to the county Kent shelter location and the Crossroads location will close to the public.

The county is changing its animal control services beginning July 1. SeaTac and Tukwila have expressed interest in continuing to receive services from the county, at least for the next two years.

Burien has opted out and will make alternative arrangements for animal patrolling, sheltering and licensing.
Des Moines and Normandy Park already share an animal control officer.
County staffers say the shelter consolidation will allow for more efficient staffing at the Kent shelter location, improved care for animals, and save the county utility and lease costs.

The Crossroads location will remain a non-public base of operations for Animal Control Officers assigned to East or North King County, and may occasionally be used to support adoption events and foster care programs.
The Crossroads shelter is the smaller of two county-run animal services locations. On average, it can hold just over a dozen adoptable animals.

Going forward, stray or owner-surrendered animals that would have gone to the Crossroads location should be taken to the main Kent shelter for processing and adoption. The Kent shelter services roughly 7,000 stray or surrendered pets per year.
By closing the Crossroads location, the county officials estimate they will save roughly $75,000 annually in lease and utility expenses by 2012.

Staff will be transferred from the Crossroads location to the Kent shelter.
On June 12, all animals will be taken from Crossroads to the shelter in Kent, located at 21615 64th Avenue South.
Information on hours and driving directions to the Kent site are available by calling 206-296 7387 (PETS) or by visiting www.kingcounty.gov/pets.