HOUSE SPRINGS, Mo. — Effective immediately, you can go to the PetSmart in Chesterfield and adopt a new pet from a longtime animal shelter in Jefferson County.
According to a press release, Open Door Animal Sanctuary has re-joined the national pet store chain's charities adoption program.
It comes just in time for PetSmart's national adoption event on May 18 and May 19. Open Door says it will have as many as eight dogs available.
Cats and kittens will be available at the store on a daily basis beginning May 20, according to the release.
“Our relationship with PetSmart is invaluable to our shelter as we adopt out an average of 130 cats every year as a result of the partnership in addition to dozens of dogs during their National Adoption Weekends and other in-store adoption events. The adoptions that occur at PetSmart represent a significant portion of the animals we find homes for each year. Having their location and partnership to help us facilitate adoptions is critical for our rescued cats and dogs and our organization," said Open Door executive director Tracie Quackenbush in a prepared statement.
Open Door had been suspended from PetSmart's adoption program in April amid an investigation by the store over "serious concerns" about the well-being and care of the shelter's animals.
RELATED: PetSmart cuts ties with Jefferson County shelter over 'serious concerns' about animal welfare
5 On Your Side has reached out to a company spokeswoman to learn more about the results of that investigation and to independently confirm that Open Door is in good standing again.
The shelter, which has been a fixture in the community for more than 40 years, was the subject of a three-month I-Team investigation last month.
That reporting revealed that for more than a decade, the shelter was relying on an out of state veterinarian's drug license to get controlled narcotics for a vet clinic. Those drugs, former insiders allege, were then severely mishandled internally by staff.
According to state records, Open Door was also found to have committed a number of violations pertaining to animal care and record keeping.
They include:
- failing to maintain records of daily medications and treatments
- forging rabies certificates
- housing cats and kittens in storage areas
- a kitten dying without a vet exam
- improper storage of food and bedding
- animals lacking official identification
- failing to accurately record the name of the vet who administered the rabies vaccine on the rabies certificates
- multiple expired medications (repeat violation)
- incomplete labels for multiple medications
- failing to retain records for one year
Tina Roesch, who used to work at the non-profit for three years, said her concerns over these problems were part of the reason she quit.
"It's not right. It's not right of any animal sanctuary or anyone having animals. And it just can't go on, it just can't. We've got to find a way to help them where they will let us," she said.
The state's report concluded that the facility would continue to be monitored for compliance.
However, state records indicate some violations, like the continued use of expired medications, were not addressed until months later.
Open Door was not issued any fines or penalties, according to an agriculture department spokeswoman.
Today, the shelter remains a million-dollar operation with hundreds of animals on its premises in House Springs.
For those interested in adopting from PetSmart, fees are $75 for adult cats one year and older and $150 for kittens.
The adoption fee includes spay/neuter, a complete set of annual immunizations including rabies, a microchip, flea/tick preventative, de-worming, and FIV/FELV testing.
Individuals and families looking to adopt a cat/kitten are encouraged to visit Chesterfield PetSmart during their normal business hours to meet those up for adoption.