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Vote on Animal Shelter Could Come in August

Kalamazoo County

Kalamazoo County could begin work on a new animal shelter as soon as next year if a new proposal goes forward. On Tuesday commissioners heard from a group within the county that’s been studying the needs of the Animal Services department. That group recommends building a new facility on county land on Lamont Street next to the current shelter on Lake Street, at a cost of about $5 million.

The study group says a new building would mean improved conditions for animals in the county’s care – and a better experience for visitors. The committee says a new building would resolve issues with overcrowding, and health and quality-of-life problems for animals, and do more to promote adoptions.

For example, Kalamazoo County Parks Director Dave Rachowicz says, many up-to-date shelters house cats in rooms rather than separate cages.

“And what we’ve really learned is how much more adoptable that makes those animals when people can come in and a cat actually walks up to you and you know, interacts with the people who are visiting the facility,” he says.

Rachowicz noted that the county has long had concerns about its current shelter and a desire to improve its facilities, but that several previous attempts at change had failed. He said the committee is hopeful that the new plan will succeed.

Several commissioners have expressed at least tentative support for a new building. But board member Kevin Wordelman says he’s not sure the county should be in what he called the “adoption business.” He says his district needs Animal Services' help with stray dogs, while a number of local nonprofits help to find homes for animals.

“Do we focus more on enforcement and then maybe reach out more to our partners on the adoption side?” he asked Tuesday.

The commission is expected to vote on the proposal in August. If approved, a new building could open in early 2019.

Sehvilla Mann joined WMUK’s news team in 2014 as a reporter on the local government and education beats. She covered those topics and more in eight years of reporting for the Station, before becoming news director in 2022.
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