St. Charles Parish has moved ahead with plans to design a 7,800-square-foot animal shelter that is estimated to cost $1.3 million.
Campo Designs/ Architects has been hired to design the facility at a cost of $100,768, and a schematic design has already been completed. Animal Control has set aside $750,000 for the new shelter’s construction, and is hopeful that the state will appropriate $250,000 to the project.
The parish has applied for grants from the Humane Society and PETCO to round out the cost.
If those grants fall through, Parish President V.J. St. Pierre said it’s possible to take some of the money budgeted for the courthouse’s third floor renovation and earmark it for the shelter.
“This is a doable project,” he said.
Animal Control Director Angela Robert said the number of animals housed at the shelter increases by around 20 percent each year.
“We are busting at the seams,” she said.
Robert said a new facility would allow for the animals to be more segregated, thus preventing the transfer of diseases.
“We do a really good job of that now with what we have, but this will be a better, more state-of-the-art facility,” she said.
The current shelter is almost 30 years old.
Councilman Dennis Nuss, who recently adopted a puppy from the shelter, said he was amazed at what Animal Control is able to accomplish at such a tiny facility. Councilman Marcus Lambert said the project is long overdue, and the parish needs to help its animal department just as it does other departments.
“Animals have a huge part in people’s lives,” he said.
Robert said the shelter has an assortment of animals ready for adoption at a cost of $80. She said the fee includes a spay or neuter, up-to-date vaccines, a bag of food and a DVD of care tips.
For more information, contact the shelter at 985-783-5010.
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