SLO County cats and dogs are getting a new animal shelter — with a $20 million price tag
Missing cats and dogs and those up for adoption in San Luis Obispo County are closer to getting a new temporary home, after the county Board of Supervisors approved an increased budget and necessary contracts for a new Animal Services shelter on Tuesday.
A new building is planned near the existing location, off Highway 1 between San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay. The old facility still in use was built decades ago, and animal needs have outgrown the space.
The new building is designed to “reduce stress levels for animals and humans alike; allow for the humane care of animals in the county’s care; support the shelter’s already strong community volunteer program; and incorporate state-of-the-art cleaning, plumbing and mechanical systems,” according to a county description of the facility.
After years of negotiations among seven cities, including Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo and Grover Beach, to finance the much-anticipated construction, the project’s budget has soared to $20 million.
The doubling of the price tag during the delayed action is a result of new tariffs, worker shortage and more stringent labor laws in California, according to county staff.
The current animal shelter was built around 1975 on a former landfill with the primary purpose of kenneling dogs.
Since then, additional building modifications include dog runs, corrals for ranch animals, a small structure for cats, night drop-off kennels, an expansion for staff administration and renovation for a public lobby, according to a county staff report that determined a new facility is needed.
The price tag for a new building was around $14.4 million in 2017 when Paso Robles and Atascadero voted to opt out of the plan and consider their own facility. The county was able to convince the cities to join the group project.
Supervisors on Tuesday authorized the issue of bonds to fund the project and approved a lease and escrow agreement. A staff report presented to the board says that total borrowing for the project “may not exceed $25 million.”
An earlier version of this story contained an error about the total borrowing allowed for the project. It has been updated.
This story was originally published December 10, 2019 at 5:07 PM.
