The big picture
Design will begin in the second quarter of 2025 on the $20 million, 26,000 square foot indoor and outdoor facility, Assistant City Manager Rob Valenzuela said at a Jan. 27 Animal Advisory Board meeting.
City staff initially planned to build a $9 million shelter using funds from the city’s $91 million general obligation bond approved by voters in November 2019, with $6.6 million allotted for the shelter, Community Impact reported. A supplemental $2.4 million was to be fundraised by the Animal Advisory Board.
Zooming in
Valenzuela said the new facility will be suited to accommodate:
- 80 dogs
- 122 cats
The cost
However, rising construction costs and changes in animal care standards—including an additional 15 square feet needed per dog housed in shelters—increased the shelter cost $11.36 million, city officials said.
The shelter will now be funded using a combination of funds from the 2019 and 2024 bonds as well as $2.4 million in fundraising from the Animal Advisory Board, Valenzuela said.
To date, the board has raised $135,000 of the required fundraising dollars, although City Council members have said the fundraising was not required up front, he said.
What else?
A finalized location for the new shelter hasn’t been determined, although Valenzuela said the city is exploring its options near Imperial Park.
Looking ahead
Design is expected to take one year and construction completed in 18 to 24 months, Valenzuela said.
