BREAKING: Salina Animal Services cuts operations, limits intake and shelter access amid staffing issues

Salina Animal Services has announced a temporary reduction in operations due to current staffing and space limitations, saying the change is necessary to focus on public safety, essential animal care and emergency response.

According to the public notice, the department’s phone hours are now Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Shelter access and adoptions will also vary by day. From Monday through Wednesday, the shelter will be limited to emergencies only, with restricted public access and adoptions available by appointment only. Thursdays will operate under the same emergency-only restrictions because that day is reserved for surgeries. On Fridays, walk-in adoptions will be available from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Saturdays, walk-in adoptions will run from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The department said it is still handling emergency calls, essential animal care, bite cases, law enforcement support, injured animals, dangerous animals involved in active incidents, legal hold animals, licensing and other priority dispatch calls. At the same time, it said it is not currently handling owner surrenders, most stray intake, wildlife intake, routine at-large complaints, new volunteer applications, non-dangerous at-large animals or small dead animals on roadways.

The notice also states that public tours of the facility must be scheduled through the Parks and Recreation Office at 785-309-5765.

The move marks a significant temporary reduction in services at Salina Animal Services as the department narrows its focus to its highest-priority responsibilities.