Dozens of volunteers and staff from the animal shelter gathered to celebrate the long awaited ground breaking of the new Animal Shelter expansion.
“We are very excited that this day is finally here,” said Nina Wingfield, Animal Services Director.
The existing building has been at 603 E. South St. since 1998, and it has served the community well.
But as Collierville has grown, so has its population of homeless animals, so the shelter must be adapted to accommodate their care.
At a July 13th Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting, Town of Collierville Park, Recreation and Community Services Director Chip Petersen presented a proposal for an addition to the shelter.
The proposal included approximately 1300 square feet on the eastern side of the building which will include a surgery area, laundry, mechanical, prep area and a restroom.
An addition on the western side of the building will measure about 1,200 square feet and be used as a cat habitat and office space.
The existing covered porch will be enclosed and made into a secure lobby area.
There will also be improvements made to the customer service area, and a relocation of the existing surgery area in order to expand the animal intake and processing space. The heating and air conditioning system will also be replaced throughout the building.
More than half of the $433,000 needed to pay for the improvements is being funded by donations.
The Collierville Animal Shelter has an average of 1476 intakes per year.
There were 254 reclaims and 641 adoptions in 2014, and shelter veterinarians performed 699 spay/neuter procedures.
