CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Montgomery County Animal Care and Control has big plans for a successful future and it starts with building a new state of the art facility.
Montgomery County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) held a public meeting Monday at Glenellen Elementary to discuss their plans and announce the proposed new site.
A 15-acre plot in the 500 block of Needmore Road has been selected as the possible new site of a 35,000 square foot facility that will include: space to care for more than 250 animals, separate quarters for intake, adoption and proper separation of animals.
Additional amenities include space for a pet salon, a veterinary clinic with surgery capabilities, community space to rent for small parties and more. The land around the facility could have walking trails, a playground, dog park and more.
During site selection, Needmore was identified, because of its location.
In July 2019, discussions began and Jon Clark, architect at J. Clark Architecture and Design, designed a facility that would serve Montgomery County well for decades.
“This will set the tone for the next 20 to 25 years,” Clark said. “This is a very strategic site for Animal Control to procure. It’s going to be quite interactive and it’s going to incorporate anything under the sun as far as Animal Control.”
Dave Kaske, director of Animal Control explained to the small crowd, some residents of the area, the need for a new facility.
The current 7,000 square foot facility holds 54 large dogs, 30 smaller dogs and has a room for cats. MCAC cares for and processes a “tremendous amount” of animals averaging 4,600 animals per year, Kaske said.
The lobby areas are crowded and the parking lot small.
“The layout is not efficient for our staff or for the animals,” Kaske said. “We have ongoing issues like roof leaks and HVAC issues. The back area is muddy and we can’t grow grass in the area. The kennels are falling apart. We have cats housed across from dogs and it’s not healthy for the cats.”
Mayor Jim Durrett said the current Animal Control facility at 616 Spring Street was a former warehouse and with the growing population the lack of space has become a major issue making proper operations difficult. Its location makes building additions impossible.
“We are hamstrung by the property where the current Animal Control is,” Durrett said. “The main reason we looked in this area is that this is where the most (activity) is. This is a major artery to activity.”
The new facility will be something for the entire community to enjoy and will include amenities both inside and outside to make caring for the animals more efficient.
Furthermore, the new facility will allow them to reach a “no-kill” shelter status. Currently, MCACC has an 81 percent save rate. Their goal is to get to 95 percent so they can have officially become a ‘no-kill’ facility.
The resolution for funding will be presented before the County Commission in January before the project moves forward.