At a time when animal shelters across the D.C. region are struggling with capacity, the District is ending its nearly 45-year relationship with the nonprofit agency that manages key aspects of its animal control and care responsibilities, including taking in strays, arranging for pet adoptions and investigating animal bites.
Starting in January, D.C. Health and the Humane Rescue Alliance — the nonprofit organization that manages the city’s shelter at 1201 New York Ave. NE — will end a contractual partnership that dates back to 1980, the HRA announced late last month.
This transition has generated some confusion about the future of animal care and shelters in the District, particularly after the HRA urged residents over the summer to consider adopting or fostering a pet to help free up shelter space.
HRA leaders say they were initially caught off guard by the split and are still trying to understand its ramifications. D.C. Health officials have been quiet about the issue until this week.
