Construction has begun on the Williamson County (Texas) Regional Animal Shelter, which will initially have 60 feline habitats and 85 canine kennels.
The $3.9 million shelter, which will be located in the Georgetown area near Austin, is a collaborative effort between Williamson County and the cities of Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander and Hutto.
Designed to meet the growing needs of the county for the next ten years, the facilitys master plan allows for growth to handle animal control needs for up to 20 years without having to buy additional land, according to the county.
When fully operational, the new shelter is expected to help increase pet adoptions, promote care for lost pets and help reduce the stray population. County commissioner Greg Boatright said the new shared facility will also reduce the countys and participating cities animal control costs.
For each city in the county to build its own facility would cost three times what is now being spent, Boatright said.
The shelter is scheduled to open in January 2007.
Posted: April 24, 2006, 5:00 a.m. EST