HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Huntsville Animal Services received a $1.2 million grant to renovate its shelter's existing building
Huntsville Animal Services Director Dr. Karen Sheppard said she is excited for what is to come.
"We are just so thankful to the taxpayer, and to the mayor, and to our city council," said Sheppard.
New amenities included in the renovation are designed to give a more modern feel to the building, making the adoption process more welcoming. New additions include a laundry and dishwashing room as well as a surgical and prep suite.
"We are going to be spaying and neutering 5,000 animals on site," said Sheppard.
This will be the first time the shelter will be able to perform these procedures in-house.
The community cats program will also have its own designated area where they will capture, spay and release the cats back into the community.
This renovation is expected to give these four-legged friends a better chance of getting adopted and finding a forever home.
"Now, shelters are being built for lifesaving and we still don't want the animals to stay here. We want them to get out as quick as we can because that's not a home that a cage," said Sheppard.
Sheppard also said that since mid-May, animal shelters across the country are overpopulated with animals that need a home.
"Right now is a little scary, not just here in the greater Huntsville area but nationwide, because of the pandemic last year a lot of people are putting the breaks on adopting an animal or fostering because they have a vacation planned, is what the theory is," said, Sheppard.
If you would like to adopt or foster an animal visit the Huntsville Animal Services website