Award Winning Animal Center Expands Hours in Sugar Land

Award Winning Animal Center Expands Hours in Sugar Land

Sugar Land, Texas - Sugar Land’s Animal Services Division received a state award for improvements during 2008, including a new 4,300-square-foot shelter that expanded animal capacity by 300 percent.

The Texas Animal Control Association described the animal shelter as one of the state’s best during its 34th Annual Conference in Dallas, where Sugar Land received the 2008 Texas Animal Control & Welfare Agencies Award for cities with a population of 50,000 to 100,000.

The award recognizes public awareness, facility compliance with the Shelter Act and agency improvements, as well as active membership in TACA and effective employee development programs.

“Last year, we took a hard look at ourselves and realized there were opportunities for improvement,” said Community and Environmental Services Director Mike Goodrum. “Our facility was comprised of several outdoor runs and small temporary buildings. That’s all changed thanks to a commitment from City Council to expand the program.”

Sugar Land’s new indoor, climate controlled animal shelter has adoption rooms, technology improvements, multipurpose rooms and a play area for children. The additional space enabled Sugar Land to launch a volunteer program intended to promote animal adoptions. Since June, more than 160 volunteers have registered and over 470 hours of volunteer work have been contributed at the shelter.

Animal Services participates in several special events each year, and provides presentations to groups such as the Girl Scouts and area day cares. Educational videos are produced for the City’s cable television station, and “Pets of the Week” are featured in the local papers and on the newly expanded Animal Services Web page (go to www.sugarlandtx.gov and choose “Animal Services” under the “Department” menu).

“We finished our fiscal year with 303 adoptions, which is a 150 percent increase over the last two years,” said Animal Services Manager Kathryn Ketchum. “With resources budgeted for additional staff and expanded hours, we expect to build on the quality services currently provided to our citizens.”

Sugar Land’s animal shelter is open for adoptions from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Wednesday and Friday; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Read more online, call (281) 275-ADOG (2364) or e-mail animalservices@sugarlandtx.gov.

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