It’s often difficult to find out what’s happening with animals in Seattle. Media coverage is inconsistent at best and there is no centralized location for this information. But sometimes our paths cross news that clearly shows that there is ongoing policy-making related to animals in our city. The efforts are just piece-meal and easily overlooked.
Here are three animal-related items that you may not know were happening: City Council Legislation affecting app-based pet sitters, strategic planning at the Seattle Animal Shelter, and new off-leash area proposals.
City Council Legislation! If not for Councilmember Alex Pedersen’s newsletter, we would have no idea about Council Bill 120580 due for a full Seattle City Council vote on August 1. The bill is to limit when and how app-based companies can “deactivate” the independent contractors who use their technology to engage with customers. Essentially the legislation aims to prevent tech companies from “unfairly” pausing or removing the independent workers from the tech platforms, such as the applications you may use on your cell phone to request services / deliveries. As currently written, this new regulation would include companies based in Seattle, such as Rover, that provide not only jobs and tax revenue for our city, but also connect pet sitters/walkers with pet owners. What does this mean in practice? It would essentially make it harder for a pet sitter who has mistreated an animal from being barred for use of the app. Many pet owners wrote to the City Council asking to exempt pet care companies. Amendments to do so were voted down by Councilmembers Andrew Lewis, Teresa Mosqueda and Lisa Herbold. Another amendment did pass which expands the legislation’s definition of “egregious misconduct” by adding actions or behavior that could endanger the physical safety of an animal. But it does not appear that pet care service operations and other in-home services are sufficiently protected from privacy or safety concerns because they are still included in this legislation limiting deactivations. We are uncertain whether this law will pass due to the administrative costs. However, SAW does support protecting vulnerable customers and pets by amending the proposed app-based “deactivation” regulations of Council Bill 120580 to exempt marketplace network companies including in-home and pet care services.
To review the draft legislation of Council Bill 120580 and proposed amendments, CLICK HERE.
To watch the June 27, 2023 Public Safety and Human Services Committee and discussion of Council Bill 120580, CLICK HERE [timestamp 1:12:23].
For the memo from the City Council Central Staff that identifies issues with the proposal, CLICK HERE and, for their May 23, 2023 presentation, CLICK HERE.
A Strategic Plan at Seattle Animal Shelter! The City of Seattle has decided to develop a two-year strategic plan for its municipal animal shelter. In addition to hiring a consultant to review its foster volunteer program, it is soliciting input for a longer-term plan for its future. To date, this input is only limited to its volunteers. Animal services are often a black hole of information. Both care and field services are housed under the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) which does not have a dedicated communications specialist or analyst. It is unclear whether SAS is also suffering the staggering number of intakes other shelters are experiencing, although it is highly likely. We know there is no spay/neuter activity going on. It is unclear whether the City’s decision to plan is due to post-COVID needs or if it’s being integrated with the updating of the One Seattle Comprehensive Plan for future population increases. Regardless, the planning is remaining inside the four walls of the shelter for the time being.
More Off-Leash Areas on the Way! This item has the greatest exposure of all with several news articles and a mailer requesting input. Off-Leash Areas are a world of their own and can arouse strong passions. The City is considering future off-leash areas, specifically in the following sites: Lincoln Park, East Queen Anne Playground, Discovery Park, West Seattle Stadium, Ravenna Park, View Ridge Playfield, Powell Barnett Park, Othello Park and Brighton Playfield. Below is a map.
You can learn more by visiting this site!
