Council backs plans for animal shelter

Dan Kulin

Wednesday, July 14, 2004 | 8:37 a.m.

Part of Boulder City may go to the dogs.

The City Council on Tuesday unanimously endorsed plans to put a new animal shelter and dog park on 18 acres on the west side of the city, just north of Nevada Highway between the two traffic lights in town.

It's unclear how long it would take for those plans to come to fruition, as the Tuesday council decision was only to identify where the council would like those facilities to go along Yucca Street.

The council could see design plans for a new animal shelter next month, acting City Manager Vicki Mayes said.

City voters could be asked next June to approve funding for a new animal shelter, which is expected to cost almost $1 million, Mayes said.

A new shelter would replace the old and crowded shelter on San Felipe Drive, which is too small and too close to several homes, Mayes said.

The existing shelter has room for 20 dogs and 27 cats in its outdoor cages shielded from the sun by a roof and cooled somewhat by misters.

Tina Baley, the city animal control officer, said the shelter doesn't meet federal requirements for animal shelters and is far too small for the city.

Baley said she's forced to kill more animals than she would like because she frequently runs out of room at the shelter.

Last year the shelter took in 664 animals, primarily dogs and cats, and killed 243. Baley said with a larger shelter about one-third of those animals killed would probably have been kept alive.

The proposed dog park is being pushed by a group of 70 citizens that have formed the group See Spot Run. Representatives from that group told the council Tuesday that they would oversee the maintenance and operation of the dog park, and raise money for expenses by renting the space for dog shows and other competitions. They also said they are considering charging a small fee to pet owners who want to use the park.

The council decision Tuesday did not give the group the go-ahead and power over the proposed park, but did identify the land as a desired location for such a park.