On April 25, the Tonganoxie City Council approved a memorandum of understanding with Vickie Smith of Smith Veterinary Clinic to establish an overflow animal shelter at the business.

Smith was already boarding animals at her clinic at 1625 Tonganoxie Road but with the agreement, the city will place stray dogs and cats at three pens it built on space Smith made available at the clinic rather than at those in the public works complex on Fourth Street. In return, the city will compensate the clinic for feeding, water and vet care.

City Administrator Mike Yanez said the agreement was a win-win for the clinic and the city. To manage an animal shelter, the city needs a state license and one of the requirements of that license is that pet owners have access to the shelter during regular business hours, he said. There are many hours when public works employees are at work sites around the city and the shelter is not available to the public.

That would not be a problem at the clinic, which is licensed, Yanez said.

Tonganoxie Police Chief Jeff Brandau said Smith wanted to find homes for the stray animals and would keep them beyond the five days the city requires.