The Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County has announced plans for an estimated $1.5 million expansion to create more space for housing animals and build a surgery suite.
Another recent influx of cats and dogs has left the often overcrowded no-kill shelter once again in need of room. The additional space will also allow the agency to offer new community programs and operate on animals without sending them to another facility.
“We have a good facility, we just don’t have the best layout,” said director Misha Anderson.
Barking dogs greeted visitors from inside crates in the lobby as cats climbed around in kennels. Animals often stay in the lobby when the rest of the kennels and cat houses fill up or are doubled up.
Nearly 40 cats arrived in a single day this week. The shelter is still housing 19 cats removed from the former Toney Petroleum site in April. That’s on top of the 175 cats that were already under the shelter’s care.
The shelter has space for 33 dogs but was housing 40 as of Thursday morning.
Renovations were recently made to the lobby and office space to make room for a new manager. Rachel Lumkes will oversee day-to-day operations allowing Anderson to focus on administrative duties.
The remodeling created lighting issues that left part of the lobby darker than the rest of the room. Acuity Brands Lighting donated new fixtures for the renovated area.
AWL’s board will organize a capital campaign to raise money for the larger expansion. Grants will also be sought. The shelter has operated from its facility on Big 4 Arch Road for more than 20 years.
