Plans Unveiled For New Pocatello Animal Shelter

Pocatello’s mayor unveiled plans for a new animal shelter Tuesday, he said the current building simply isn’t safe for people or for pets.

“The building itself is just literally falling apart. It’s just rusting away. It’s important to have an animal shelter that’s No. 1 safe for the people that work there,? Mayor Brian Blad said.

Workers at the animal shelter said some poorly designed spaces mean much of the building is a breeding ground for disease.

“They’re crowded. It’s tight for them. Disease is really hard to keep ahead of because of the tight, close quarters they’re in. So we just need something new in this town,? Animal Services Director Mary Remer said.

Remer said the state of the building is sad and is keeping people from adopting pets.

“Right now, a lot of people won’t even come and look at the animals we have because it is depressing. It is sad to see the conditions that they’re staying in, and a lot of people won’t even come,? Remer said.

Local architects have put together plans for the new facility.

It would be built in phases, in the dirt parking lot right next to where the current shelter is now.

But a brand new shelter won’t come cheap.

“You panic when you hear the price tag. It’s a $2 million building. The problem is you can’t go any cheaper really,? Blad said.

But much of that price tag may not have to come out of taxes. The mayor and animal services director are both hopeful donations will be able to pay for much of the new animal shelter.

“I understand funding is hard. You know there’s not a lot of funding out there and they’re fighting big budgets that are already very tight. But I think if they can get this moving the public is going to step up,? Remer said.

The mayor will have a study session with the Pocatello City Council in the next few months before a date is set to start work on the new shelter.