Accountability in Commercialized Pet Care
- seattleanimalwatch
- Dec 30, 2024
- 2 min read
The Rise of Pet Business Permit Suspensions
On November 13, 2023, a dog daycare facility, The Dog Resort, in SODO caught fire. Dog owners and employees lodged 27 different complaints with multiple agencies against The Dog Resort. The Attorney General's Office and Seattle Animal Shelter, Labor and Industries and Public Health – Seattle & King County, issued six unsatisfactory inspection reports during the year prior to the fire, with the last inspection taking place a mere 5 days before the fire. However, the facility was allowed to keep operating, despite a history of violations including:
Several facility issues that were not in good repair
Inadequate staffing creating an unsafe environment
Gross unsanitary conditions due to lack of staffing to perform cleaning and disinfection
Not keeping sick animals isolated from other animals
Kennels not large enough to prevent overcrowding
Not providing water
Insufficient record keeping for dog bites (dog to dog, and dog to human).
Despite Dog Resort staff and Seattle Fire Department best efforts, multiple dogs managed to escape and were on the loose. Tragically, two dogs lost their lives after fleeing the burning building.
Advocacy efforts were sparked by the incident, and resulted in the Seattle and King County Public Health Board taking steps to improve transparency and accountability. They added animal services to their eCompliance database, allowing customers to verify the validity of animal-related business licenses and get notifications on suspensions more easily.
The Seattle and King County Public Health Board oversees the regulation and monitoring of animal daycare facilities as part of its environmental health permit program. Their responsibilities include ensuring that these facilities adhere to stringent standards for the welfare and safety of animals in their care.
On December 12, 2024, another animal boarding facility, PJ's Pet Ranch faced suspension for multiple animal welfare violations. The facility is currently appealing the decision. The reasons cited for the suspension included:
Failure to maintain sanitary conditions for animals
Failure to repair damaged wood and wire in kennels
Failure to ensure animal enclosures are free of entrapment and injury hazards
Failure to prevent rodent infestations in animal areas
Failure to maintain waterproof materials in kennels for proper cleaning and disinfection
Failure to maintain buildings in good repair
Similarly, on July 29, 2024, Liesa's Awesome Aussies and Dotted Dalmatian's along with Liesa's Purrfect Persians had their permits suspended due to a series of infractions, including:
Failure to vaccinate cats and dogs over four months of age for rabies
Failure to provide necessary immunizations and parasite treatments
Failure to keep and provide records of animals on the property, as well as records of sales, acquisitions, and deceased animals
Failure to provide clean and uncontaminated food and water for the animals
These incidents emphasize the importance of robust oversight and adherence to high standards in facilities caring for our beloved pets. They also highlight the need for continued advocacy and regulatory changes to ensure the safety and well-being of animals in commercial settings.