Animal center opens new $5M building

By T.J. Aulds
The Daily News
Published November 29, 2011

TEXAS CITY — The usual barking and meowing from the Galveston County Animal Resource Center was mixed with clapping, pats on the back and more than a handful of “awwws” Monday when the county formally dedicated its new shelter.

Officials cut a ribbon to mark the $5 million facility’s official opening.

The 18,840-square-foot center, paid for through a bond package approved by voters in 2008, has room to shelter 100 dogs and 100 cats, almost double the capacity of the old shelter. But the focus is not to house stray dogs and cats, but to find new homes for them.

The facility was designed for adoptions, center Director Kim Schoolcraft said.

There are outdoor areas for cats called catios — a play on patios. Dogs can hang out in grassy park areas to enjoy the sun, play with other dogs or get to know possible parents.

There’s space for volunteers and animal control officers to work, an expanded care center for veterinarians to treat animals and even a room for homeless gerbils, hamsters and guinea pigs.

With the expanded space, the center will be able to offer pet care classes as well, Schoolcraft said. The old shelter is being renovated to expand the facility and serve as an intake area for animal control officers.

(News Media: For more information contact Kurt Koopmann, GCHD Public Information Officer, 409-938-2211 or kkoopman@gchd.org)