Kansas City’s over-crowded animal shelter is a step closer to becoming a state-of-the-art animal “campus.”
Kansas City's Finance and Governance committee advanced an ordinance Wednesday to begin design and construction for the new animal facility.
The $26 million dollar project is partially funded with $18 million in GO KC bonds from the city. Voters approved the $800 million infrastructure bond package last year.
The new 15-acre facility in Swope Park will be a major upgrade from the current shelter’s 1.4 acres. Kansas City Pet Project executive director Teresa Johnson says they’ve accomplished a lot since moving into the 40-year-old Kauffman Stadium storage facility 6 years ago.
“We’ve become nationally recognized for what we’ve been able to do here. We are the only no-kill city in the state of Missouri. And we’re the third largest no kill open admission municipal shelter in the entire U.S.”
Johnson hopes to build on that legacy with the new facility, which will feature outdoor “catios" and windows for nearly every indoor area. It will include an education and training center and a veterinary clinic open to the public with affordable services.
A groundbreaking is planned for this summer.
Lisa Rodriguez contributed to this report.
Andrea Tudhope is a reporter for KCUR 89.3. Email her at andreat@kcur.org, and follow her on Twitter @_tudhope.
