Staffing shortages force temporary animal shelter closure

In this Nov. 30, 2019, photo, Donna Ponder, a volunteer with the Friends of the Jefferson City Animal Shelter, walks through the halls where dogs are housed at the Jefferson City Animal Shelter.
In this Nov. 30, 2019, photo, Donna Ponder, a volunteer with the Friends of the Jefferson City Animal Shelter, walks through the halls where dogs are housed at the Jefferson City Animal Shelter.

Due to staffing shortages and COVID-19, the Jefferson City Animal Shelter is lacking the staff needed to remain open to the public.

The shelter announced Saturday that it will be closed through Friday.

The closure will allow the limited staff to focus on their core public safety duties and the care for the animal population in the shelter.

It is suspending all owner releases and intakes into the shelter until further notice.

All adoptions and redemptions will be by appointment only.

The public still can view pets that are available for adoption at jeffersoncitymo.gov/government/animal_control/adoptable_animals.php.

If you want to schedule a viewing of a pet, contact the shelter at 573-634-6429.

The shelter, which is overseen by the Jefferson City Police Department, apologized "for any inconvenience this may cause and thank everyone for their understanding as we navigate these unprecedented circumstances."