Capital Campaign:

Why is a new animal care and adoption center needed?

CITY OF DENTON ANIMAL SHELTER
* Projected based on City of Denton population growth estimates and on current shelter dog/cat ratios.

The first graph represents only dogs & cats from the City of Denton.  The second graph represents total animals handled by the shelter from Denton County and Inter-local contracts with a few surrounding small towns. 

Note:  Maximum capacity of the shelter is 114 dogs & cats.

Total Animals Handled – Including City of Denton, rural Denton County and Inter-local contracts.

* Projected – based upon population growth and the formula set by The American Pet Products Manufacturer’s Association.

NOTE:  Maximum capacity of the current shelter is 114 dogs & cats. The capacity of the new facility will be 250+ dogs & cats, with room for expansion.

 * Projected – based upon city population growth and the formula set by The American Pet Products Manufacturer’s Association.

The population of the City of Denton is projected to continue growth at 5% per year.  In addition, there is no definitive count of the number of feral cats .  Based on national statistics, there could be as many as 30,000+ within the City of Denton.

Capacity

Ø      The maximum capacity of the current shelter is 114 dogs and cats.

Ø      The current facility was built in 1979 and expanded in 1988.

Ø      The 7,000 square foot building is out-of-date; and is out of capacity to meet current demand.

Ø      Over 5,000 animals are being handled annually in this 30 year old facility (total of all animals from the city, county and inter-local contracts).

Ø      The number of city animals handled increased 54% from 2004 to 2007, or almost 1,500 animals (see graph).

Ø      Denton’s population in 2008 is estimated at 110,000 residents with two major universities; and is still growing.

Ø      According to projections, Denton’s estimated population will continue to grow at an annual increase of 5% per year. 

Ø      As population growth drives up the number of animals needing shelter, the “holding period” for rescued dogs and cats gets shorter due to space limitations.   And, the ability to provide even basic animal services is taxed beyond reasonable limits.

 Design

Ø      The existing animal services building was not designed to meet current national or state animal welfare requirements and codes.

Ø      It is structurally impossible to alter the building to the degree necessary.

Ø      A 2007 “audit” conducted by the Humane Society of the United States documented the building to be “poor” in code compliance.

Location

Ø      The current shelter is located in the flood plain.  In 2007, the land on which the facility stands was completely flooded.  No animals were harmed; however, substantial loss of equipment occurred as well as damage to the building.

Ø      It is also located adjacent to the county jail complex.  The entire “neighborhood” surrounding the facility houses “prison” services (bail bonds, attorneys, etc) and some light industrial plants.  It is not a “friendly” environment for potential animal adoptees and children to visit.

Ø      Given the land, location and structural challenges of the existing building, neither expansion nor destruction and re-building are viable options.  Also, there would be  serious operating issues such as re-location of the animals and animal services functions during such an undertaking.

Ø      Thus, there are no cost-effective options available involving the current location.

Public Opinion

Ø      Social consciousness, education, and recognition of animal welfare issues have intensified.  The current facility tarnishes the image of the City of Denton and affects the overall quality of life in the city.

Ø      A 2004 survey conducted by the Denton Humane Society with over 1,000 respondents concluded that a new animal shelter was critically needed. 

Strategic

Ø      The facility was originally designed as merely an animal “warehouse.”

Ø      It is not “user friendly” for potential adopters; and it does not encourage the public to visit .

Ø      Due to the structure, it is difficult to do routine maintenance and to implement disease controls and animal stress reduction actions.

Ø      There is no space for public education about animal welfare issues, no space for volunteer orientation and oversight, and no space for public events such as low cost spay/neuter and micro-chipping.

Ø      A new strategy changing the focus from “warehousing” dogs and cats to rescue and adoption is needed in order to save more pets and to humanely reduce the stray animal population.

Ø      More than just a shelter is needed.  A comprehensive animal care and adoption center is required to address the serious challenges of animal welfare that have increased in scope and size with the city’s population growth.

Ø      Only a new facility can accomplish the dual missions of providing effective animal services to city residents and of providing humane care and shelter to stray, abandoned and abused animals together with the hope of long-term adoption.