Addressing a growing need for more comprehensive animal control, a move is underway in El Paso County that could lead to the building of a new shelter on the east side of the city.
Work on the project is dependent upon passage of a $323.8 million county bond issue designed to fund a wide variety of facility and infrastructure projects in the county, with by far the largest, at $104.2 million, going to the upgrade of the historic El Paso County Coliseum at 4100 E. Paison Drive.
At the same time, funding to the tune of $32.3 million will target the building of the new animal shelter, which is set to go up on currently vacant land adjacent to the El Paso County Jail Annex at 12501 Montana Avenue.
As planned, the new facility will house up to 400 kennels, as well as space for neuter and spay services and low- or no-cost vaccinations.
Uniquely, the facility will offer jobs skills and animal training programs for jail annex detainees. Additional structures at the site will see the construction of three different buildings for small, medium, and large dogs, as well as a larger adoption center.
County officials have for years discussed the possibility of building an animal shelter that could augment the work of the sometimes overwhelmed El Paso Animal Services, which is run by the city.
That agency opened a new shelter facility this summer on the west side of the city to keep up with demand.
As a prelude to the new county shelter, El Paso established an Animal Welfare Department some two years ago which is tasked, among other things, with investigating complaints of neglect and cruelty.
October 29, 2024
By Garry Boulard
Photo Courtesy of Pixabay
