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Title:
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Discuss and provide direction to staff regarding the Farmers Branch Animal Adoption Center Expansion Project.
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Title
Discuss and provide direction to staff regarding the Farmers Branch Animal Adoption Center Expansion Project.
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REQUESTOR:
Community Services Department
BACKGROUND:
The existing 5,897 square foot Animal Adoption Center with a current capacity of approximately 30 cats and 39 dogs was constructed in 2009. The shelter has frequently been at or over capacity, with a total of 1,067 animals already taken in for 2025. Previous presentations have been provided for potential expansions to the shelter involving several million dollars. In December 2022, the Animal Adoption Center received a generous donation of $1.5 million from the Estate of Dorothy Ray Holley which specified that a permanent wing for cats and kittens with an open-air enclosure/sunroom, veterinary endowment, marker or another permanent item were to be provided as a tribute to her cat companions.
DISCUSSION:
In accordance with the requirement from Dorothy Ray Holley, Quorum Architects who previously designed and managed the construction of the animal shelter was engaged to conduct a needs assessment and projected cost analyses of the facility making their knowledge of the shelter invaluable for designing the proposed addition.
After several reiterations, a plan for an exclusive 1,055 square-foot addition was developed to serve as a cat solarium; thus, honoring the donors request, and which features a cat playroom, an isolation room for cats, a stray cat room, a kitten room, a cat adoption room, and a meet-and-greet room designed to increase the capacity from 30 cats to 40 cats. In doing so, six existing spaces previously occupied by cats can be recaptured and used for dogs. Furthermore, the functionality and efficiency of animal care for staff is improved.
A crucial part of this project is the replacement of the shelter's roof. By replacing the entire roof during the expansion, the longevity of the new roof is improved rather than simply adding to the existing, older roof. The expansion and roof replacement will be completed within a projected timeline of approximately 24 months, with anticipated completion at the end of 2027.
This expansion plan was presented to the Animal Services Advisory Committee (ASAC) on June 18, 2025. The Committee expressed its support for the expansion as proposed.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The $1.5M donation from the Estate of Dorothy Ray Holley will cover the project cost.
DISTRICT:
District 4
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Dorothy Ray Holly Donation Article
2. Needs Assessment and Projected Cost Analyses
3. Presentation