Mission

The T. Russell Reitz Animal Shelter and Animal Control protects public health, welfare, and property through enforcement of City and county ordinances and sheltering of unwanted companion animals, providing public education on the care of companion animals, and promoting humane treatment and responsible pet ownership.

Our Goals

• To provide professional animal services to the community and its animals. We strive to promote the proper care and control of animals within our community and to instill in the public mind proper regard for the welfare of all animals.
• To maintain a modern, professional, well-equipped animal shelter.
• To guarantee that every animal entering the animal shelter will be reunited with its rightful owner, adopted to a new home, or be humanely euthanized.
• To investigate all reported instances of cruelty and neglect of animals, and when necessary, to prosecute violators.
• To provide prompt, efficient handling of all requests for services.
• To work with the City, county, and state authorities in the enforcement of laws pertaining to the control and protection of animals.
• To cooperate with civic and kindred organizations concerned with the attainment of common goals of animal sheltering/control and welfare.

Facts

• The animal shelter handles animals from Manhattan and Riley County. The City of Ogden, City of Riley, City of Leonardville, City of St. George, and Pottawatomie County have contracts to use the facility.
• The shelter provides housing for strays, surrendered animals, and animal court cases.
• Stray, healthy animals are held three days to be reclaimed by their owners. After three days, if the animal has a stable disposition and is in good health it is made available for adoption.
• Animals surrendered by their owners have a minimum of 24 hours to be evaluated for health and disposition prior to being available for adoption.
• Animals can stay in the shelter as long as they are healthy and mentally stable.