Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Shelter Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bedford shelter plans move, praises staff response to large cat seizure with reported 100% live-release
Summary
Board heard that staff executed a multi-animal seizure in Bedford, taking about 36 cats (35 sent to rescue, one kept for adoption) and reporting a 100% live-release rate; staff also said they aim to begin shared operations at a Ulysses location March 1 pending approvals.
Shelter staff told the Bedford Animal Services Board on Feb. 16 that a recent large-scale cat seizure in Bedford resulted in about 36 cats being removed from a house and that coordinating agencies and rescue partners secured almost all animals for placement.
"We had a 100% live release rate on all the animals that came in from that house," a staff member said, and described working with an outside rescue partner to send 35 animals to rescue while retaining one animal at the shelter for adoption. The speaker said investigations related to the incident remain pending.
The board also heard an operational update: staff are planning adoption events and preparing a physical move. Jose said the team hopes to begin sharing a shelter with Ulysses on March 1 and to move operations there as construction and council approvals allow. "That way we're over there... Getting actual operations running out of there," he said, while adding that some items may still be moved after construction begins.
Chair Molly and staff said they will notify residents via social media and a mailed letter once approvals and construction sign-offs are complete and stressed the need to make clear when Reliance Drive services will be closed to avoid animals being left in neighborhood locations such as Bedford Grove.
The board did not vote on the construction or the move at the meeting; staff said they will return with details after council approval and as dates firm up.
