A closer look
Fort Bend County commissioners approved a $54,000 agreement with Shelter Planners of America, a consulting firm, to begin design on a new animal shelter and satellite animal adoption center July 8.
The proposed new shelter is slated to be approximately 38,000 square feet, while the proposed satellite animal adoption center is approximately 8,000 square feet, according to agenda documents.
There is currently no finalized site or expected build cost for the new shelter or satellite center, county officials said in an email. The county’s existing shelter is located at 1210 Blume Road, Rosenberg.
By the numbers
With the current animal shelter “critically overcrowded,” at 200-250% above its designed capacity, the new shelter will expand the county’s intake capacity, decentralize services, boost adoption opportunities and prepare Fort Bend County for future population growth, county officials said in an email.
The shelter added 13 dogs and 12 cats in May, bringing the total number of animals at the shelter to 258. Dog totals are up 31 and cat totals are up 67 from the start of the year, according to shelter statistics. The shelter has the capacity to house 90 dogs.
Looking back
County commissioners previously approved an agreement with animal nonprofit Houston Pets Alive in January for consultation services to develop a strategic plan for Fort Bend County Animal Services focused on community engagement, outreach and communication, Community Impact reported.
The move comes months after the county approved the purchase of a $217,250 mobile adoption unit for animal services last May and launched an animal adoption incentive program, supplying one year of pet food and medications to 250 dogs and 75 cats last June.
Moving forward
The design process is expected to take six months upon authorization to proceed from the county, officials said.
