The Sugar Land Animal Advisory Board is set to begin work on plans for a new animal shelter that, when completed, will be almost four times larger than the city’s existing facility.

The city’s animal shelter—built in 2008—consists of a little more than 4,000 square feet of space and will not accommodate expected growth, according to the 2015 Facilities Master Plan update. 

The city is working with Animal Arts, a veterinary hospital and animal shelter design firm based in Colorado, to finalize the site layout and features of the new facility, Animal Services Manager Kathryn Ketchum said during a presentation to the City Council. The two entities are also collaborating to identify budget needs and funding options, according to Ketchum.

City officials will most likely finalize site layout plans by late fall or early winter, Assistant City Manager Chris Steubing said, with construction scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2018-19. The city is planning for a 15,000-square-foot facility located at the headquarters of the Sugar Land Police Police Department on Hwy. 6, he said.

    Sugar Land City Council members voted in July to increase the number of seats on the animal advisory board from five to 11, in preparation for the project. The expanded board will work with Animal Arts to develop plans for the new shelter, including assisting with fundraising and determining particular needs, according to meeting documents.