S.L. County Animal Services receives national recognition

SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake County Animal Services has been recognized by American Dog Rescue for increasing adoptions and decreasing deaths of healthy domestic pets at the county's animal shelter.

The agency received the award from the national animal welfare organization's during a ceremony in the County Council chambers Tuesday afternoon. Arthur Benjamin, president and founder of American Dog Rescue, presented the 2010 National Animal Welfare and Protection Award to Animal Services Director Shawni Larrabee, Salt Lake Mayor Peter Corroon and the County Council.

In 2010, dog adoptions at the county shelter increased 62 percent over the previous year. Cat adoptions increased by more than 45 percent for the same time period. That improvement was largely due to the county eliminating the $65 fee for cat adoptions. The revenue has been recovered by creating a sliding scale for the cost of dog adoptions — younger, high-demand breeds of dogs command higher prices. 

These advancements mean "animals don't come into the shelter with an expiration date on their heads," Benjamin said.

In 2010, the county shelter euthanized 481 dogs, compared to an average of 1,048 for the years of 2001-09. About 1,400 cats were euthanized, less than half the historical average for the facility.

Corroon has set a goal to make the shelter a "no kill" facility.

— Marjorie Cortez