Our own Metro Animal Services building is currently closed due to unexpected maintenance that cannot be delayed. On Wednesday, December 11, staff and facilities personnel discovered organic growth under the flooring in the office area. City of Puyallup is scheduling industrial hygienists to evaluate the facility and determine what is needed so that the building can be safely reoccupied. Metro Animal Services is a partnership between the cities of Puyallup and Sumner, serving both cities plus an additional five cities by contract. In this partnership, Sumner operates the program out of a facility owned by Puyallup. Both cities responded together quickly for the safety of our staff, volunteers, visitors and animals in our care. Staff were moved immediately to a temporary mobile unit on site. Although kennels do not seem to be affected, all 64 animals in Metro’s care were moved to foster families, partners and other shelters within 72 hours. Metro appreciates that all facilities are very busy and are grateful for so many partner organizations responding quickly to help support the animals.
Metro Animal Service’s staff and officers will continue to respond to service calls for animals in distress within the seven cities we serve. Due to the current closure of the facility, visitors cannot come to the Metro shelter for any reason. All adoptions and surrenders are suspended for the time being. If someone has a stray animal in their care, please post the animal to social media and tag Metro Animal Services. If the pet has a license, please call Metro staff at 253-299-PETS. If people see a stray running free, the best option is to leave them alone as they are most likely to find their home faster than strangers trying to capture them. Anyone in Metro’s cities who have a lost pet can still call Metro staff as officers are still on patrol. Metro serves the cities of Sumner, Puyallup, Algona, Bonney Lake, Edgewood, Milton and Pacific.
Metro apologizes for this inconvenience, but safety is our number one priority, which will drive next steps and timeframe for the facility. We’ll continue to update the public as we learn more. This is the time of year when a lot of animal lovers like to contribute gifts and food to the pets in Metro’s care. Please redirect that generosity to neighboring shelters and animal organizations.
