AUSTIN — For seven years, April Peiffer has been volunteering with the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter.
"People are great, but dogs. ...all they do is give,” she said.
They give her immense joy.
"The shelter is my happy place,” Peiffer said.
Williamson County old shelter at Inner Loop is expanding.
"I couldn't be more excited,,” Peiffer said.
To facilitate the expansion, by Saturday, all dogs at old shelter will have moved into the temporary shelter at San Gabriel Park at the barn and stay there for nearly six months.
"We're at the stage where our dog kennels are being renovated,” said Misty Valenta, community programs coordinator for the shelter. "That includes redoing the floors, the AC units, the drainage system.”
The shelter is nicknaming its temporary dog shelter "Canine Corral."
"Doing a big move like this is a big undertaking,” Valenta said. “Not only does it take our staff but it's going to take our community members as well."
Cats will remain at the old shelter because their area needs only touch-up renovations. All dog adoptions and surrenders will be at the San Gabriel location.
“We're moving all the dogs to this location," Valenta said, referencing the San Gabriel location, "because it will actually save us six months of construction time. It will also save the taxpayers $500,000."
The shelter is also protecting the dogs from the heat.
"We have cooling systems here," Valenta said. "We have big industrial fans, we have a misting system being put in place."
And volunteers, like Peiffer, keep the dogs active and loved while waiting for permanent owners.
"There's just no greater feeling. It's incredibly fulfilling," Peiffer said.