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A message from St. Louis PetLover Coalition

St. Louis County Animal Care and Control, a St. Louis PetLover Coalition founding member, is getting some new digs, and that’s great news for the staff, the animals in its care, the County and for St. Louis overall. A groundbreaking ceremony at 10521 Baur Boulevard in Olivette, the site of the new shelter, on September 3, 2010 marked the beginning of a new chapter for St. Louis County and its homeless animals. Since then, progress on the facility has been fast and furious as the supporters, friends and staff of St. Louis County Animal Care and Control prepare for an August 2011 opening.

“The new animal care and adoption center will be a state-of-the-art facility and will offer the best possible treatment for the dogs and cats in our care,” said Dr. Dolores J. Gunn, Director of the Saint Louis County Department of Health.

Led by design firm, Engine House No.1 and general contractor, HOF Construction, the St. Louis County Animal Care and Control building is approximately a $4.5 million project that will not only double the County’s space for dogs and cats, but it will also provide ample room to house vector control offices. The new shelter, which is expected to achieve LEED certification, will be able to care for almost double the number of cats, approximately 150, and at least 50 more dogs for a total of 200 dogs. The building is 26,000 square feet and features, among other highlights, a comprehensive security system complete with surveillance cameras, an outdoor play and training area, and designated “Meet and Greet” rooms that will allow visitors to interact with the adoptable dogs and cats and get to know their personalities, which is important in determining a perfect match! One full-time and one part-time on-staff veterinarian will take care of the animals’ medical needs, including spaying or neutering every dog and cat before they leave the facility, in the two veterinary suites that each feature a surgery and exam room.

Upon entering the front of the facility, potential adopters will see a nice seating area affectionately called the “Oasis” by the staff, and they will get a great view of the cat condo, which can house 60 or more adoptable cats, and all the adorable puppies up for adoption in a special puppy room. A small training room located in the middle of the shelter will be available for not only staff meetings, but also for other local animal groups upon request for any animal welfare education they might want to conduct with community residents. Further into the facility, the facility features a room for any exotic animals that come in from birds to ferrets to alligators as well as specially-designed dog and cat isolation rooms with concrete dividers and dropped ceilings to prevent the spread of disease. Plus, each room at the new shelter will have its own ventilation furthering minimizing the risk of infectious diseases passing between the incoming animals – strays and relinquished pets – and the animals already awaiting adoption at the shelter. As with the old facilities, Animal Care & Control officers will be on-duty at all times to get animals off of the streets and out of dangerous situations.

No pet-friendly workplace would be complete without areas to accommodate sheltered pets in offices. Each of the 15 offices, which will not be carpeted in case of accidents, at the new shelter will have two-part doors where the upper half of the door can be opened, while the lower half will stay shut to keep any animal inhabitants inside the office.

The new St. Louis County Animal Care and Control facility helps bring the Coalition, made up of more than 15 local animal welfare groups, one step closer to reaching one of its main goals of increasing the save rate of animals in the St. Louis community. The increased space at the new facility and an environment that is more conducive for adoptions means more homeless animals have a chance at forever homes.

More information about about the county’s animal control program can be found at www.stlouisco.com/doh/animals/animals.html or for more information on the St. Louis PetLover Coalition, visit www.stlpetlover.org.