Positive Changes at Salina Animal Services Include Expanded Adoptions fort Pit Bulls and Protective Cat Quarantine

Salina Animal Services announced two significant updates this week as the shelter continues operating ahead of its planned transition to private management in January.

The shelter announced that pit bulls in its care can now be adopted by people who live outside Saline County, providing another potential avenue for placing the dogs in permanent homes.

Under the process announced by Animal Services, prospective adopters must live outside Saline County and provide a current photo ID and utility bill verifying their residence.

Those who own their home will be required to provide proof of ownership. Renters must provide a lease or other verification from their landlord showing that a dog is permitted at the property.

Animal Services said it will also conduct a background check to make sure prospective adopters do not have animal-related charges on their record. As with other dog adoptions, a meet-and-greet will be required when another dog already lives in the home.

The adoption fee is $50. According to Animal Services, the dogs are vaccinated, spayed or neutered and microchipped. The pit bulls have also undergone DNA testing, with those results provided to adopters.

Cats Quarantined After Panleukopenia Confirmed

In a separate announcement, Animal Services said confirmed cases of feline panleukopenia have been identified at the shelter.

As a precaution, all cats have been placed under quarantine and are currently unavailable for adoption or interaction with the public.

Animal Services said staff are using isolation, cleaning and monitoring protocols in an effort to prevent additional spread.

If conditions progress safely, the shelter hopes to resume cat adoptions Sept. 8. Animal Services cautioned that the date could change depending on the health of the cats and veterinary guidance.

The quarantine represents a proactive step to limit exposure after the disease was identified, while the expanded pit bull adoption policy creates an additional opportunity to move dogs from the shelter into homes outside Saline County.

Both developments come during a transitional period for Salina Animal Services. The City of Salina is preparing to move animal shelter operations to private management beginning in January.

Until that transition occurs, the city-operated shelter continues to handle animal care, disease-control measures and adoptions.

Salina311 will continue following Animal Services through the remainder of the year and the transition to private operation.