The City of San Antonio has approved an ordinance under the 2012 Bond Program to save the lives of more stray dogs and cats.
The General Obligation Bond funds are designated for construction of new kennels to increase the City’s capacity to house roaming pets. The Request for Proposal allowed for the kennels to be built off-site and run by an independent organization, and The Animal Defense League successfully responded to the RFP. The Animal Defense League says its new $2.2-million dollar facility will move the city closer to the goal of becoming a “No-Kill” city.
The Animal Defense League's executive director, Janice Darling, says the new kennels, to be built on the non-profit’s property on Nacogdoches Road, will allow them to take in an additional 3,200 dogs and cats from the city. She says the kennels are planned to open in the fall of 2014, and says the greatest need for shelter is for puppies under four months.
"We are going to build a state-of-the-art puppy room here, which will allow us to really control disease. Puppies have immature immune systems and disease control is of the utmost importance. So all of that will be factored into our new kennels," Darling said.
The Animal Defense League, which has been operating as a no-kill shelter since 1934, will operate the new kennels at its own expense, including medical care and food. Darling says they will be hiring additional staff members and possibly an additional veterinarian to handle the work load.
