Kansas City Animal Lovers! Help KC's Animals!

I read a very interesting article today and thought I would share the important points and my response.

According to kcpetconnect.com:

• The Missouri Department of Agriculture has condemned the current building that houses Animal Control.
  
• The current animal shelter at 4400 Raytown Road was built in the 1970s as a prefab building. It was supposed to last about 20 years. It is now over 30 years old. We need a new shelter!
• The animal shelter houses about 175 animals. There is no area for prospective adopters to get to know the dogs or cats they are interested in. There is a small, cramped area where some medical treatment is provided and spay/neuters are done offsite.
• Last year, KC Animal Control took in approximately 9700 animals. Of these only 1300 were returned to their owners. But 1400 were adopted out to new homes. That is terrible! The kill rate is 83.3%!! According to the ASPCA, the national kill rates are 60% for dogs and 70% for cats. Our kill rate is much higher than the average.
  

If you care about these animals please send a quick email to the city council. Below, I have provided text that you may copy into your own email. Please sign your real name-this has more of an effect. You can copy this exactly, change it up a little--or write your own. Try to stay with facts rather than your emotions.

Ex. I am so sad that all of these animals have been killed for no reason!
Better: I am appalled that my taxpayer dollars are being used to kill animals rather than care for them.

Dear (Insert name of city council member):

It has come to my attention that the city needs a new shelter. The shelter at 4400 Raytown Road is nearly 30 years old. I suggest Corporate Sponsorship and/or a tax. If we have corporate sponsorship for stadiums and convention centers, why not an animal shelter? As a taxpayer and voter, I will be following how the city handles this. Our city should set the example for the country and have an animal shelter that others envy.

I appreciate your response.

Sincerely,

(Leave space to sign name) I always sign my name so that they know this isn't one of many "form" letters sent out by one person.

Your name
*************

Dear (Insert name of city council member):

I recently became aware of the poor condition of the animal shelter at 4400 Raytown Road. It is appalling that we are allowing our city's animals to live in a building that was condemned by The Missouri Department of Agriculture, according to kcpetconnect.com. I would support a tax that would increase the wellbeing of the animals in the city's care.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

(Leave space to sign name) I always sign my name so that they know this isn't one of many "form" letters sent out by one person.

Your Name

*When I write letters, in addition to my return address on the envelope, I put my address below my signature AND my typed name. In case the envelope is lost or damaged, they still have your address and can respond to you if they'd like (or if you ask them to).

Click here to go to the City Council page

The address below is the same for all City Councilmen, they do have different phone numbers.
To address the envelope, just write their name between The City Council Office and City Hall, 24th Floor. Signing your *real* name adds legitimacy to your letter.

The City Council Office
City Hall, 24th floor
414 E. 12th St.
Kansas City MO 64106
Phone: (816) 513-1368
Fax: (816) 513-1612

The Mayor's Office
City Hall, 29th floor
Phone: (816) 513-3500
Fax: (816) 513-3518