ST. LOUIS–A transition is underway at the St. Louis County Pet Adoption Center as the Animal Protection Association of Missouri (APA) begins to take over operations. The location will now be known as the APA Olivette. The nonprofit will still operate its flagship location on Hanley Road, APA Brentwood.

St. Louis County selected the APA after an extensive application process. It comes nearly 3.5 years following an audit showing euthanasia numbers at the county animal shelter were manipulated to appear artificially low. There were also concerns with the facilities condition and management.

The APA says the St. Louis County Shelter will continue to provide shelter and adoption services and the nonprofit will extend its specialized programs that promote adoption and wellness of pets. 

According to data from the APA, as of Dec. 2, it has completed more than 4,750 adoptions since the beginning of the year. The nonprofit says St. Louis County Pet Adoption Center coordinated 357 pet adoptions in the same time period.

The APA posted on its Facebook page that both locations will be closed Monday so its crew can focus on getting the APA Olivette up and running. The post says employees will be making sure that every dog gets walked, is provided enrichment and bathed. The group will also be working to clean the facility, get phones and computers set up, and get as many dogs into foster homes or rescues as possible. 

The APA is looking for more foster families. You can fill out a foster application and book a time to pick up a foster animal on the APA’s website.