Dallas Animal Services, a local animal control department and shelter, is proposing the city build a new $114m facility to replace the current one.
The current facility opened in 2007 when the emphasis for animal control was on catching stray dogs and keeping them until their owners arrived. Today’s Dallas Animal Services is focused on life-saving programs for the animals. The current shelter has limited parking and contains 300 kennels. Sometimes cages are placed in the hall to accommodate the overflow. In July, the shelter housed 385 dogs.
The proposed upgraded facility will include a bigger in-house clinic, space for animal care classes and seminars, plus more room for visitors and parking. A preliminary design shows a central building with expanded outdoor areas and pod-like animal quarters.
The 60,000 square feet of outdoor space is of particular importance and will contain outdoor runs, exercise yards, and meet-and-greet play yards. The animals need space to decompress in order to make the best impression on their potential adoptive families.
In December, the proposed shelter will compete with other departments for a chance to be part of the $1bn bond package the city will place before voters in May 2024. Flyer printing services offer an inexpensive way to inform the public of an upcoming bond issue.
If included in the bond package and approved by voters, the new facility will be built approximately a mile from the current one on land belonging to the city’s parks department.
