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Casa Grande animal control reports higher save rates, seeks kennel, cooling and office upgrades
Summary
Animal control staff told the council they have improved adoption and rescue rates, are operating at or above kennel capacity, and recommended several capital improvements including cameras, kennel cooling systems and additional run/kennel space and a combined office building on adjacent property.
Therese Anafelt, animal control supervisor, told Mayor Fitzgibbons and the council that the animal control and adoption center has increased its live‑out (save) rate and that the shelter is regularly operating at or above physical kennel capacity for both dogs and cats.
Anafelt reported the agency’s live-release rate was about 80% in 2024 and said the shelter’s rate so far this year is about 97%. She described partnerships with regional rescues as a major factor in moving animals out of the shelter: “They have helped us tremendously as far as being able to take some of our animals that otherwise would have not been adopted,” she said, noting rescues also have limited space.
Facility capacity and counts: staff said the shelter has 46 dog kennels and 77 cat kennels. Anafelt gave average and high census numbers: in 2024 the average number of dogs in kennels was 49 with a highest count of 55; cats had an average near 38 with peaks above capacity (transcript highest cited 85 for cats). Staff described the kennel census as regularly at or above capacity and said additional kennel/ run space is needed.
Planned and recommended capital improvements: staff outlined current and proposed projects including installation of security cameras (already being installed), replacement of an animal-control vehicle (delivery delayed by a long build backlog), purchase and installation of kennel-area air-conditioning units designed for higher air‑recirculation, a mural and outreach/PIO campaigns, paving the back parking lot, and adding additional outdoor dog runs or kennels on city-owned property immediately west of the shelter. Anafelt said bids for AC installation were being solicited and that some front‑office changes were postponed because of higher construction costs.
Licensing, programs and operations: staff said that in February they launched online licensing and dog‑tag purchases to increase compliance and that officers have completed training programs and certifications (ACO1/ACO2) through the National Animal Control Association. Anafelt also told the council the agency is licensed under the state veterinary regulatory program (referred to in the presentation as the “Arizona State Vet Grama”), which required a state audit and ongoing annual review.
Operational data and outreach: staff reported increased calls for service in recent years and provided counts for impounds, rescues and adoptions. They said rescues have taken hundreds of animals (staff cited a figure of 465 relayed to rescues in recent reporting periods and noted 102 sent to rescues in the most recent quarter). Anafelt highlighted Trap‑Neuter‑Return (TNR) for cats as a key strategy to control community cat populations and said most TNR work is funded through grants and low‑cost clinics.
Councilmembers thanked staff and asked about community channels for lost-and-found animals; staff said the shelter monitors local social media lost-and-found groups and coordinates where feasible. Anafelt closed by recommending the city consider a combined office/kennel expansion on adjacent city property to consolidate operations and make shared exercise/run areas available for a larger facility.
No formal action was taken; staff requested council awareness and support for the listed CIP projects and for additional kennel/run capacity and climate-control measures.
