116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Pet adoptions go on hiatus as Cedar Rapids Animal Care & Control deals with staff shortage
‘Our top priority always has to be the animals in our care’
May. 20, 2025 4:25 pm, Updated: May. 21, 2025 7:23 am
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CEDAR RAPIDS — The Cedar Rapids Animal Care & Control Center was closed to the public early this week as it struggles to balance the amount of staff available with the number of animals that need their care.
In Facebook posts Monday and Tuesday, the center explained that despite being closed to the public, new animals still can come in to the shelter and staff members still are working with the animals that are there — but community members cannot come into the shelter to see and adopt animals.
“We simply don't have enough hands to do it all — to keep the doors open to the public and properly care for the animals that depend on us. Our top priority always has to be the animals in our care — cleaning, feeding, medicating and comforting them,” the Monday Facebook post reads.
The center’s regular hours are noon to 5 p.m. every day but Sundays, but this week it was closed Monday and Tuesday. A statement by city officials states the center is currently in the process of filling four temporary, part-time positions, which should start in early June and help the center keep consistent public hours.
“Staffing availability has required us to adjust our public access hours as our team prioritizes the direct care of shelter animals and attends to their needs. When staffing is limited, we may temporarily close to the public so we can focus on what matters most: the animals,” the city statement reads.
Those interested in adopting animals from the shelter can view the animals currently available for adoption online, and any community members interested in volunteering at the shelter can find information about how to volunteer on the city’s website.
“As always, adoptive families and shelter volunteers play an important role. Volunteer help allows our staff to focus on field service calls, medical care, and behavioral training to help improve animal adoptability. Adoptive families give animals the loving, permanent homes they deserve. We are deeply grateful to every volunteer and adoptive family who steps up to make a difference,” the statement reads.
Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com
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