Gil the cat has moved into SLO County’s new animal shelter. He still needs a forever home

This has been a big week for all the critters at the San Luis Obispo County Animal Services shelter.

After nearly two years of construction and $20.4 million, the county has opened a new 20,000-square-foot facility at 865 Oklahoma Ave. in San Luis Obispo for lost and displaced pets.

According to a news release, the site features updated medical care facilities, dog runs and outside play areas for dogs and cats, as well as living areas for exotic animals.

“Depending on the size of the animal, up to about 50 dogs and 80 cats can be housed on site,” the release said.

The new facility is a big step up from the old shelter, which was built when concerns about the mental wellbeing and health of homeless animals were not design considerations.

For example, in the old shelter, felines had no room to roam except in their individual 2- by 3-foot kennels.

Happily, the new shelter has larger kennels with amenities to make cats feel more comfortable.

There are also two sunny communal Cat Rooms providing social kitties the opportunity to wander, lounge or spend time with visiting cat lovers.

After nearly two months at the old shelter, Gil the cat is enjoying the new vistas and the much appreciated quiet.

Gil is a handsome 4-year-old, social boy with a soft gray coat and captivating green eyes. With a beckoning paw, he invites people to visit.

Gil appreciates human attention, has a calm demeanor and — though appreciative of the shelter upgrades — still longs for a forever home.

If you’d like to meet Gil, another shelter pet, or interact with kitties in one of the Cat Rooms, please stop by the shelter’s front desk or call to make an appointment.

The public is welcome to walk through the new shelter and see all the animals available for adoption from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Thank you, SLO County residents! Because of you, shelter pets can now sleep more peacefully.

How to adopt

For more information about Gil (ID No. 283297), call the volunteer line at the San Luis Obispo County Animal Services shelter at 805-781-4400 or visit www.slocounty.ca.gov/aserv.

The full-price adoption fee is $81 for cats and $115 for dogs, plus a $28 county license fee for dogs, if the adopters are San Luis Obispo County residents.

The adoption fee includes a new collar, a spay or neuter operation, basic vaccinations, a microchip and eligibility for a free veterinary check within San Luis Obispo County. Cats also are tested for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus, and adopters receive a carrier.