As of April 22, local veterinarians have begun offering services to help provide medical care for the animals at King County’s two animal shelters.

The intervention is made possible by a motion adopted April 21 by the Metropolitan King County Council that also calls for an aggressive animal adoption campaign involving local businesses, animal rescue groups and King County employees.

Councilmembers Dow Constantine and Julia Patterson were joined in the motion by County Executive Ron Sims ,who issued a declaration of emergency at the shelters.

The motion has created an adoption campaign and allows local veterinarians to assist in providing care. The two measures will help to alleviate the shelter health crisis and prevent future overcrowding and suffering while the county moves toward longer-term strategies.

King County shelters house approximately 13,000 animals each year. Constantine, Patterson and Sims issued a call to all county employees to consider adopting a shelter animal this spring or summer.

Sims said shelter managers are especially in need of foster volunteers who can care for ill animals or animals such as kittens which are too young for adoption. Citizens can volunteer by going online to kingcounty.gov/pets.

Training is provided for foster volunteers, with sessions to be held May 22 and June 12 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the King County Kent Animal Shelter, 21615 64th Ave. S.