The condition at shelters in Kent and Bellevue are described in a report to the King County Council by a nine-member committee of animal welfare experts.

Report Of The King County Animal Care And Control Citizens Advisory Committee

The panel recommended immediate renovation of the two shelters, new policies and additional employees, including a shelter operations director and an animal behavior expert.

King County Council members who commissioned the investigation were stunned.

"It broke my heart when I discovered the extent to which the animal care and control program was falling behind," said Councilwoman Julia Patterson.

Investigators found, for example, much more contagious disease at a Kent facility than is common in other local shelters.

The report said animals are not always vaccinated when they come in, and sick animals are not properly isolated.

It also questioned the way cages are cleaned.

King County Animal Services' acting Manager disagreed.

"Look at the shelter. These are not deplorable conditions. You can see yourself: the animals have, their basic needs are met, they have food, water, medical attention," said Al Dams, Acting Manager for King County Animal Services.

The committee is recommending nearly 50 changes and upgrades, including immediate renovation of the shelters.

The one in Kent could require $500,000 work.

Council members said they'll investigate how this went on for so long, without their knowing.

"We're going to be looking into not only what we can do for the animals, but how we can fix the reporting mechanisms, so that things like this don't happen in the future," said Councilman Dow Constantine.

The report and its recommendations are the first steps in moving the county to a no-kill policy at its animal shelters.