Mesquite, TX – February 2, 2021 – The Mesquite City Council approved a $227,735 contract with GSR Andrade Architects to expand the existing Mesquite Animal Shelter facility by 4,000 square feet. The expansion will include more kennels to house animals as well as a new outdoor play area. The design phase is anticipated to be completed in approximately six months with construction starting in fall 2021. The current shelter is 11,000 square feet.
Maria Martinez, Director of Neighborhood Services, said, “We look forward to providing more space to animals in need of help as our staff helps them find their forever home and positive outcomes. We had great success in 2020 with a 5% increase in our live release rate. This additional space will help us further that success into future years.”
Martinez shared that in 2020 the shelter took in 4,730 animals, regardless of their health and condition. She explained the live release rate of all animals who entered the City’s shelter was 95% in 2020 as compared to 90% in 2019. Martinez explained much of the success goes to the dedicated staff, volunteers and rescue groups working in collaboration on a daily – sometimes hourly basis.
The shelter expansion is one of the objectives identified in the Animal Shelter Strategic Plan adopted in 2019. Another objective was achieved in Nov. 2020, when the Mesquite City Council approved and adopted revisions to the Chapter 4 – Animal Ordinance that amends the City Code enforced by the Mesquite Animal Services Division. The revisions include updates to State law provisions, addressed outdated language and enhanced definitions of a dangerous and aggressive animal as well as added new requirements for animal care and treatment. The new ordinance went into effect on January 1, 2021.
Martinez said, “This shelter expansion coupled with the ordinance revisions will make the Mesquite community a safer place and more animal friendly. The revisions include new language that defines animal nuisance violations, mandatory microchipping for all animals impounded by the City and there is now mandatory spaying and neutering of an animal after multiple impoundments by the City, which is all progress in the right direction.”
The shelter is located at 1650 Gross Road and is open for pet adoptions on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 1 - 5:30 p.m. Visit www.cityofmesquite.com/Animal to view current pets available for adoption. Please call 972-216-6283 for more information.
