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Design for new Terrell pet adoption center shows 36 kennels; staff projects 10–12 month build after fall contract award
Summary
City staff and consultants presented a kennel and footprint analysis for a new pet adoption center that would increase kennel capacity from 18 to 36; schematic work will continue in March and staff aims to present contract recommendations in September–October with a roughly 10–12 month construction timeline.
The city’s pet adoption center design team reported Feb. 11 that schematic design and programming work shows Terrell can expand kennel capacity from 18 in the current facility to 36 in the proposed building footprint, and that the design supports a 20‑year planning horizon without immediate future add‑ons.
Consultant Raven Smith told council staff completed kennel calculations based on current intake patterns; the 36‑kennel plan is intended to meet projected demand and to allow the city an estimated additional five years of capacity growth beyond the initial expansion. Smith said the next design task order will advance the project through schematic design and exterior programming; WRA and Core (consultants) are scheduled to return to council in March to present the next design phase.
In response to council questions, Smith and staff said operational practices will still require active case management while the existing facility remains in use and that the police department and shelter staff will need to continue interagency coordination during the construction period. The consultant estimated bidding and contracting work could be prepared in time for council recommendations in September–October 2025, followed by a construction period of about 10–12 months; staff said they would attempt to shorten the schedule where feasible.
Council asked staff to examine longer‑term organizational placement and oversight for animal services (whether animal control should remain under the Police Department or be structured as a separate operations unit) while the facility project proceeds.
