King County Animal Care and Control no longer is accepting animals that are surrendered by their owners. County officials say the change, effective Monday, Oct. 19, will allow staff to cut back on the number of pets that will have to be transported from the Kent shelter to an alternate shelter location in time for flood season.

Owners are encouraged to take animals to a designated partner agency or make alternate arrangements for pets that need to find a new forever home.

The King County animal shelter in Kent is preparing for a move out of the flood zone in the Green River valley. The Crossroads shelter location in Bellevue will remain open during flood season because it is not in the affected flood zone; however owner surrendered animals will no longer be accepted at either of the two locations.

Pets that are strays and do not have a home before coming to the shelter will still be accepted over the counter at the Kent Location and at any future location to which county animal services are relocated during flood season.

Animal Care and Control will continue to offer field services to its 32 contracting cities and unincorporated areas of King County, including such things as reports of animal cruelty, dog attacks, vicious animals and animal bites.

A list of partner groups and other re-homing suggestions is available on the King County Animal Care and Control home page: www.kingcounty.gov/pets.