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Apache Junction pauses shelter intakes, plans temporary closure after rodent infestation
Summary
City officials said a severe rodent infestation at the municipal animal control facility has forced a temporary halt to animal intakes and prompted plans to vacate the building for extermination and structural repairs; staff said temporary foster and free-adoption efforts are underway.
Apache Junction city officials announced on April 1 that the municipal animal control facility will temporarily stop accepting animals and will be vacated so crews can use rodenticide and perform structural repairs after an ongoing rodent infestation.
Chief Pulley, the city's police chief, told the council the problem has intensified since late 2024 and is affecting operations, infrastructure and staff safety. "As of yesterday, we stopped intaking any animals," Chief Pulley said, describing daily pest-control visits, holes in drywall, chewed electrical wiring and increasing biohazard concerns.
The city said the shelter has eight full-time staff and 17 volunteers logging roughly 250–300 volunteer hours per month. Facility capacity includes 38 dog kennels and 21 cat kennels; staff reported 665 dog intakes and 412 cat intakes in the last year. Pulley said average lengths of stay have risen from about six to seven days in 2021 to nearly 23 days in 2024, which reduces turnover and available space.
Pulley outlined steps the city has taken and those planned. Public Works staff and contracted pest-control teams have been moving traps daily and performing repairs. Because dogs and cats are present, the city has not been able to use standard baiting methods in occupied areas and has tried a dehydrating agent described by staff as "not harmful to animals," with only limited success. The city now plans a more aggressive approach: temporarily vacate the facility, lay approved rodenticide, remove compromised drywall and insulation, and complete repairs and rodent-proofing work.
Bridal Powell, city manager, said staff are seeking temporary housing alternatives for animals and will deploy a communications plan. Chief Pulley said the city will pursue temporary fosters and "free adoptions" to reduce the shelter population while remediation occurs. The city said work to design and build a longer-term replacement facility is in the capital planning program but is likely two years away.
Council members asked about employee and animal safety; Pulley said there have been no reported bite incidents from rats to employees or animals. Council members also discussed potential interim solutions including cargo containers and construction of a new, more rodent-resistant building over the longer term. City staff said cost estimates for the immediate remediation are not yet finalized but described the scope as "a little pricey" and suggested full replacement could be in the low millions.
Why it matters: The shelter's pause in intakes affects city animal-control services and volunteer programs, and it requires short-term rehoming and a communication effort to avoid service gaps. City staff framed the immediate work as necessary to protect employees, volunteers and animals and said a longer-term facility solution remains a budget and design priority.
City officials said they will post details of the communications plan and updates on available foster and adoption opportunities on the city's channels.
