Laserfiche WebLink
increased adoptions and volunteerism. It will feature: <br />? <br /> <br />39 dog kennels with additional room for cages <br />? <br /> <br />Multiple holding areas for cats <br />? <br /> <br />Its own spay-neuter clinic <br />? <br /> <br />An expanded lobby/reception area <br />? <br /> <br />An adoption-preparation area for bathing and grooming of animals <br />? <br /> <br />An interaction room for families to meet with prospective pets <br />? <br /> <br />Courtyards for stray and adoptable animals <br />? <br /> <br />A confined area to unload animals from vehicles <br />? <br /> <br />Secure areas for the quarantine of bite cases and dangerous animals <br />? <br /> <br />A treatment area for sick and injured animals <br />? <br /> <br />A secured area (protected from weather elements) for after-hours drop-off. <br /> <br />“The shelter will include outdoor courtyards surrounded by the building,” Toppel said. <br />“No animals or runs will be visible to the public.” <br /> <br />In 2009, South Bend Animal Care & Control responded to 4,558 calls for service and 712 <br />after-hours calls. Crews handled 3,852 domestic animals with nearly 10 percent adopted <br />by residents, 11 percent returned to their owners and another 9 percent sent to other <br />animal-rescue organizations. The present shelter lacks sufficient holding space that could <br />enable more adoptions. <br /> <br />“The current facility is extremely inadequate for the work we do managing more than <br />4,000 animals,” said Gary Libbey, manager of South Bend Animal Care and Control. “As <br />well as the space limitations, the building has several structural issues as a result of its <br />age, including drainage problems and inadequate ventilation, which can cause disease to <br />spread rapidly among animals.” <br /> <br />CARE of South Bend has conducted multiple fund-raisers on behalf of the proposed <br />shelter as well as pet-adoption events on behalf of South Bend Animal Care and Control. <br /> <br />The Redevelopment Commission also authorized the City’s Board of Public Works to act <br />on its behalf to manage completion of the project. <br /> <br />In addition to the City’s plans for a new animal shelter, the South Bend Parks and <br />Recreation Department is exploring the creation of an adjacent dog park in Kennedy <br />Park. It would be the first dog park in the city. <br /> <br />- 30 - <br />