Pflugerville residents could eventually see a new animal shelter on the west side of Lake Pflugerville after City Council members approved a potential site on Becker Farms Road Oct. 13.
The details
The existing Pflugerville Animal Welfare Services Animal Shelter, or PAWS, facility has faced persistent challenges, such as flooding, overcrowding, limited staff workspace, inadequate break areas and HVAC issues, according to city documents.
The site, known as the Biehle property, was acquired by the city in 2003 during development of Lake Pflugerville. According to Travis County property records, the primary structure on the site is a single-family home built in 1950.
The site includes roughly six developable acres with opportunities for future expansion to the north, according to city documents. However, the animal shelter will not occupy the entire tract, leaving room for future parkland or other development at the discretion of City Council members.
The discussion
Council members David Rogers and Melody Ryan voted against the selection. Rogers said he does not believe an animal shelter is the best use of the space.
“Land next to the lake is scarce, and it has alternative uses. I think we need to look very carefully at putting a use there that involves human beings,” Rogers said.
Council member Rudy Metayer said he thinks this location for the animal shelter makes sense, as long as the plan is to develop more on the site.
“If we’re saying we’re going to add some other things related to animals, related to nature and we’re going to have our animal shelter there, that seems like the bigger idea,” Metayer said.
The background
At an Aug. 11 council meeting, the council requested that staff evaluate the Biehle Property and a tract off Pfennig.
Staff determined the Pfennig location was unsuitable due to its limited size—two acres—and the inability to acquire neighboring property.
What’s next
Funding for the design of a potential future animal shelter was included in the fiscal year 2026-27 budget. Site selection is the first step in the process, and staff anticipates bringing forward a design contract for the new PAWS Animal Shelter at the Oct. 27 City Council meeting.
