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Great Plains SPCA warns of regional "pet crisis," urges Overland Park to ease pet limits and simplify foster rules
Summary
Tam Singer, CEO of Great Plains SPCA, told the committee shelters are at capacity across Johnson County and recommended changes to local ordinances, expanded low-cost spay/neuter and steps to increase foster and microchip access.
Tam Singer, chief executive officer of Great Plains SPCA, briefed the committee on shelter operations and a regional "pet crisis" characterized by rising intakes, a shortage of adopters for certain animals and a growing caseload of neglect and cruelty.
Singer said Great Plains served about 6,800 animals last year and that the shelter took in roughly 2,300 animals in 2024; about 29% of intakes were from municipal animal-control contracts. She said Overland Park accounts for about 39% of the shelter's city-sourced intakes and that 63% of dogs from Overland Park weighed more than 35 pounds. "We exist really to try and improve the life for people and pets in the community," Singer said.
Singer described a structural funding gap:…
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