CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Montgomery County Animal Care and Control is seeing a lot of progress on its new animal shelter being built on Jordan Road in northwest Clarksville. MCACC is also seeing progress on some other fronts, with the hiring of a new veterinarian and the possibility of adding a mobile surgery unit.
“I am so proud to see the new facility take shape, and these key resources added for our community in 2025,” said Director of MCAC David Kaske.
MCACC broke ground on Jordan Road on March 22, at a site that will be shared with a new branch library location. Since then, construction efforts have been ongoing, and the facilities are taking shape.
Roof decking has been completed on the animal shelter, and a temporary roof membrane has been installed prior to permanent shingles being attached, according to Michelle Hueffmeier, Montgomery County spokesperson. Interior framework is nearing completion, and mechanical, plumbing and electrical rough-in work is underway.
“Exterior site work grading is complete, and the contractor will be working around the weather and temperatures this winter to install curb and gutters, and potentially the first lift of the asphalt parking lot,” Hueffmeier said.
According to previous Clarksville Now reports, the plan for the new 24,000-square-foot shelter includes approximately 99 kennels for dogs with cat capacity at 110. Additionally, there will be three interior “get acquainted” spaces for dog adoptions and four outside areas that are fenced in for that same purpose and approximately a quarter of an acre of outdoor grassed dog run areas that will be fully protected by a 6-foot-tall fence.
Progress was delayed by a wet spring this year, and soil conditions that required major remediations under the building pads and parking lot. The project is currently on schedule to open in late summer/early fall 2025.
The future of the current site on Spring Street is being considered for alternate uses after the new shelter is completed.
New shelter veterinarian
On Oct. 8, MCACC revealed their new veterinarian, Dr. Christine Puskaric, who is temporarily working from the new MCACC clinic until the new shelter opens.
“Dr. Puskaric has been adapting quickly and has been a tremendous asset already in assisting with spay/neuter surgeries as well as daily medical care of our shelter animals. We are still awaiting our Mobile Surgery Unit to be up and running soon to allow Dr. Puskaric to perform surgeries on site,” said Kaske.
According to Hueffmeier, adding an on-staff veterinarian and a mobile vet clinic primarily supports the ongoing effort to have animals spayed or neutered and go home the same day, which eases the burden on shelter capacity.
DON’T MISS A STORY: Sign up for the free daily Clarksville Now email newsletter