New DACC shelter closing temporarily, just days after grand opening
DETROIT (WJBK) - Days after opening its doors, Detroit Animal Care and Control's shelter is temporarily closing after multiple animals have gotten sick.
Officials with the Detroit Health Department say the closure is a precautionary measure to allow staff to respond to the sick animals, who have some sort of upper respiratory ailment. The DHD didn't immediately say how many animals are sick. The new building is big enough to house up to 200 dogs and cats.
While the shelter is closed for a few weeks, the DACC will work with a team of experts from the University of Florida to figure out what's wrong.
City leaders officially cut the ribbon for the new shelter on Chrysler Drive on Tuesday, December 6.
The Detroit Animal Care and Control got a fresh start with their new name and the new shelter. Back in the fall of 2015, a fired whistleblower from the agency, which was formerly known as Detroit Animal Control, brought to light unpleasant conditions for the animals. The agency was accused of unlawfully seizing dogs and then letting the animals get sick - and possibly even die - in the shelter.
Now, a year later, the agency has hired a new director and doubled the staff.
The new shelter will be closed now through January 2. In the meantime, all stray dogs should be taken to Michigan Anti-Cruelty Society at 13569 Joseph Campau in Detroit. You can call there with questions at (313) 891-7188. The DACC live-release coordinator will be working to place these animals for transfer from that facility throughout this period.
Also, while closed, only bite quarantine dogs will be admitted to an isolated area of the shelter. Citizens whose animals have bitten someone and must be held for bite quarantine also have the option of housing that animal at a state licensed veterinarian.
The Detroit Animal Care and Control will be working with its partners, including the Michigan Humane Society and others, to provide animals with safe alternative locations for shelter throughout the time their shelter is closed.