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Tulsa animal shelter contractor given notice to proceed; $1.2M bump proposed to add 46 kennels
Summary
Tulsa Animal Services staff told the Animal Welfare Commission that the contractor on the new shelter has a notice to proceed, with equipment expected onsite in early May; staff and councilors are pursuing a $1.2 million "bump out" to add 46 kennels and a sally port.
Sherry Carrier, operations manager at Tulsa Animal Services, told the Tulsa Animal Welfare Commission on April 14 that the shelter contractor has been given a notice to proceed and is working on subcontracts, with equipment expected on-site in early May.
The project, Carrier said, has been in planning for about 10 years. Commission members were told staff and city councilors are pursuing an additional $1,200,000 in funding to add space for 46 more kennels, and that the construction ranking and site layout have been adjusted so the extra kennel capacity is now a top priority.
"Got some good news. Our company has been given a notice to proceed with the shelter project," Carrier said. "They're working on subcontracts, anticipating having equipment on-site in early May. So long time coming. 10 years in the making..." Carrier added that a sally port area was also moved up in the project ranking and that the commission and councilors are coordinating to identify funding partners.
Commissioners and staff described completing the kennel expansion as a cost-efficient opportunity if the bump-out can be added while the facility is being built. "Doing it now, not later, is the efficient and least costly way to do it," one commissioner said.
Commission discussion emphasized the need to line up funding quickly while construction is underway so the additional kennel capacity and sally port can be built as part of the initial work. Carrier said the project team provided a ranked list of priorities and has included councilors in a working group to seek support for the funding request.
A procedural motion to move the agenda item was made and recorded as approved; the transcript does not specify the exact motion text or the full roll-call vote.
Commissioners also noted that additional kennel capacity would reduce the pressure of being over capacity at the current facility and improve the ability to move animals into shelter space or partner rescues. Commissioners and staff thanked rescue partners for transfers and transports that have helped reduce on-site population while the new facility is prepared.
The commission did not set a public deadline for the $1.2 million request; staff said they will continue coordination with council members and report back as funding commitments develop.
No formal ordinances or statutes were cited during the update.
