116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Cedar Rapids Animal Care & Control releases plan to address shelter issues
City staff were aware of the issues cited in a state inspector’s report, had hired a company to perform mold-remediation work
Sep. 2, 2025 4:36 pm, Updated: Sep. 3, 2025 7:48 am
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CEDAR RAPIDS — Cedar Rapids Animal Care & Control has released information about its plan to address problems identified through a state inspection of the shelter in August.
Since June, the City Manager’s office has been overseeing Animal Care & Control, a move made to “provide additional resources” as the facility struggled to fully staff the shelter.
According to a news release posted to Facebook, the City Manager’s office was already aware of the issues identified by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in an inspection report last month. Those problems included roof leaks, ceiling damage and mold.
“The City has not forgotten its responsibilities to the shelter. Work continues, and will continue, to bring the shelter back to its intended condition,” the statement reads.
The statement included a link to a timeline of events, which states that staff first observed mold and mildew in the 12-year-old building in February, and immediately began testing it. Three mold-remediation estimates were solicited in April, and the cheapest bidder — Restoration 911, who offered to do the job of $4,789 — was selected in May. Remediation work began at the end of August.
In June, the City Manager’s office was made aware of staffing concerns related to the animals, and three new full-time positions and seven new temporary, part-time positions were approved. One of the new full-time positions was filled in August, and another was scheduled to start this week. Other city staff have been volunteering to help staff the shelter in the meantime.
The city also is working with a third-party consultant to conduct an independent review of the shelter.
“The community’s passion for animal welfare is deeply valued. What will truly make a difference for the animals, staff, and public is completing the independent review and implementing its findings. That is where the City’s energy and resources will remain focused and we ask the community to allow time for the operational review to be completed so that decisions are based on facts rather than speculation,” the Facebook post reads.
Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com
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