City officials and shelter planners convened at Thursday’s St. George City Council meeting to address the pressing need for enhanced animal welfare facilities as the city experiences rapid growth. A key proposal emerged during discussions—a potential new animal shelter in the southwest corner of the city—to replace the current facility which is deemed inadequate in size and amenities.
During a Zoom presentation to the council, Mike Barnard of Shelter Planners of America underscored the limitations of the existing shelter, describing it as notably undersized for the city’s expanding population. With St. George projected to grow by 54% over the next decade, the current shelter’s capacity strains are expected to intensify.
In 2023 alone, the shelter handled 790 dogs, 458 cats, and 38 other pets, reflecting an intake rate of 1.2% of the city’s population, below the national average. Despite challenges, approximately 57% of shelter animals found homes or were transferred, showcasing community commitment to animal welfare.
Options discussed included expanding the current site versus constructing a new facility elsewhere due to spatial constraints posed by the adjacent Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. The current shelter, erected in 1980, houses 42 dogs and 29 cats at any given time, with plans to increase capacity to accommodate up to 64 dogs and 70 cats with a new or expanded facility.
Cost estimates for a new shelter on city-owned land near Bloomington ranged from $6 million to $6.75 million, with funding allocated in next year’s budget up to $3 million. However, challenges include finding a suitable, accessible location within the city limits, as noted by City Manager John Willis.
Despite these hurdles, Barnard commended the shelter staff for their diligent efforts under challenging conditions. Discussions also revisited a previous proposal for a county-linked animal shelter at Purgatory Correctional Facility, highlighting potential partnership opportunities between the city and county to alleviate shelter pressures.
As deliberations drew to a close, Mayor Michele Randall indicated intentions to engage county officials regarding the 2016 shelter proposal, underscoring ongoing efforts to enhance animal care infrastructure amidst the city’s expansion.
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