The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter has been given the green light to expand. Tuesday, the Commissioners Court approved for construction to start next month a two-story adoption center to the west of the existing shelter.
Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter Director of Animal Services Cheryl Schneider said this will double the amount of space available for dogs. It will also include a new surgical suite to do more spay and neuter services. On top of that, improvements will be made to the shelter's existing A/C units and plumbing.
"We're very excited to have this happen," Schneider said. "We're excited for the animals. We're excited for the staff and volunteers who have all been waiting for this for a really long time."
Schneider said they've been asking for an expansion for four years.
"We've always been over capacity since 2007," she said. "We've always had every kennel and every cage full. So we've needed it badly."
The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter usually takes in about 7,500 animals a year.
Once construction starts, the need for fosters will increase since kennel space will be lost. Volunteers will also be needed to ease the stress of animals.