Kalamazoo County is poised to start accepting construction bids for a new animal shelter. That puts Animal Services one step closer to replacing its current facility.
The department argues that the building it occupies now is poorly designed, spreading disease among the animals in its care and causing them stress. Adoptions were an afterthought at the time that it was built, and the facility includes little room for visiting with the pets.
The new building would address problems of air flow and sanitation and would more than double the department’s space. It would allow Animal Services to separate adoptable pets from stray ones, and it would give the dogs room to exercise outdoors. It would also include rooms where the public could visit with adoptable pets.
Susan Brodasky serves on a board that advises Animal Services. On Tuesday she spoke in favor of the proposal.
“It is necessary because the current facility is unsanitary and unsafe for both animal and human,” she said.
Commissioner Julie Rogers says her constituents have pushed for a new facility.
“I’m really proud that this is finally coming forward to fruition and I can’t wait to break ground and see that new building go forward,” she says.
The total budget for the new animal shelter is $4.7 million. If commissioners approve a contract, Animal Services aims to start construction next spring and to open the building a year later in 2019.
