SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WXYZ) — In June, the city of Southfield ended its relationship with Almost Home Animal Rescue, which was the official animal shelter for the city.
In a release, the city lists ongoing issues which led to severed ties.
These issues include:
- Failure to accept animals brought in by Southfield Police Department and Animal Control Officer as required;
- Failure to accept animals surrendered by Southfield residents;
- Failure to adhere to safety protocols and procedures resulting in several serious injuries to Almost Home employees, volunteers and others from vicious dog attacks;
- Spaying and/or neutering animals without the permission of owners; and
- Disproportionate number of animal adoptions not awarded to Southfield residents.
"The organization has repeatedly failed to adhere to the terms of the contract with the city of Southfield," the city wrote in a news release.
Almost Home has been in partnership with the city since 2006.
The city adds that it has worked with the shelter "in good faith" in hopes that changes would be made. A recent investment of $300,000 from the city was made in summer 2018 for renovations to better serve the needs of the facility.
Those upgrades included an overhaul of the kennel area, upgrades to the main office, privacy walls inside each kennel along with a brand new proxy floor and more.
The city of Southfield is now in the process of looking for other "viable options" for an official animal shelter for the city.
Meantime, the city will be utilizing the Oakland County Animal Shelter for its needs.
