The Seattle Humane Society is ready to take the lead in the care of animals when King County Animal Care and Control closes on Nov. 1, Seattle Humane Society CEO Brenda Barnette announced Friday morning.

“The Seattle Humane Society is absolutely committed to taking care of the animals in King County,” she said. “Our board, our staff and our volunteers are dedicated to this. We are going to make this one of those counties where every adoptable and treatable animal has a chance to go to a home of his or her own.”

Barnette said the private, nonprofit shelter based in Bellevue has been in talks with King County officials for some time.

“We’ve been having communications with the county on and off for months and months,” she said. “Our talks began last year when several reports raised serious doubts about the county’s ability to provide adequate care to the animals.”

Talks between the Society and the county didn’t lead to any agreement, but they began again this summer, Barnette said, “when it was clear the animals were in danger due to a predicted failure of the Hanson dam that would cause flooding by the Green River. The animals are not getting the care they need and deserve.”

In order to respond to Thursday’s announcement of the closure of King County Animal Care and Control’s shelter, the Seattle Humane Society shelter in Bellevue can double its dog capacity overnight by not offering boarding care services. Plans have also been drawn to bring in portable units to handle significantly more cats.

The Society is prepared to provide sheltering services for all of the animals, including strays being held so they can be reunited with their owners, and all of the surrendered companion animals in King County who need help.

“This is a very caring community. We have no doubt that people will step up to the plate and help,” Barnette said. “They’re going to adopt, they’re going to foster, and they’re going to donate to help the animals in our care.”