As of Wednesday, April 1, in continuing to follow guidelines, the Apache Junction Paws and Claws Care Center, the animal-control division, will now be open only for essential services — owner reclaims, adoptions and licensing, due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19.

Paws and Claws Care Center, 725 E. Baseline Ave., will not charge late fees for licensing, if visits are postponed, according to a release.

Visitors are asked to knock on the door during regular hours --- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Only one person will be allowed into the facility at a time. Euthanasia will continue by appointment only.

Visit petharbor.com, enter ZIP code 85119 to view available animals.

As always, if you find a stray dog, call the police department’s non-emergency number, 480-982-8260. The public is asked to refrain from trapping stray or feral cats at this time.

The shelter remains staffed per usual. You can reach Paws and Claws at 480-983-4405.

Other city services

The city's development services department is further following social distancing guidelines and is altering some of its operations, the release states.

Bulding permit applications are being accepted via email and U.S. mail or other delivery services. There are no counter or in-person services offered at this time. Questions can be emailed to buildingpermits@ajcity.net or call 480-474-5156.

Building inspections are occurring as normal. Please note that inspections requiring accessing the interior of an occupied home are being evaluated on a case-by-case basis. They still need to be scheduled via email at buildingpermits@ajcity.net or by calling 480-474-5101. Remember to provide a call-back number.

When sending/submitting any application online via email, you must put the site address in the subject line. If the site is a vacant property you must put the Pinal County assessor’s parcel number in the subject line. If the subject line is empty, your email will be deleted. It is your responsibility to ensure your application has been received by either a follow up email or phone call to our office at 480-474-5156, according to the release.