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Tulsa Animal Services says new shelter construction progressing despite rain; aims for 2026 opening
Summary
City animal services staff reported foundation work and underground utilities are underway at the new Tulsa Animal Services facility after weather delays; construction manager says crews hope to stay on schedule for a 2026 opening.
Tulsa Animal Services told the Tulsa Animal Welfare Commission on July 14 that work on the department’s new animal services facility is moving forward despite recent weather delays, with foundation footings poured and underground utilities scheduled next.
Sherry Carrier, director of Tulsa Animal Services, summarized a Timberlake Construction Company schedule showing a three‑week sequence of expected work: pouring the majority of exterior foundation footings, finishing foundation footings and starting under‑slab plumbing and electrical work, then completing underground utilities and finishing site grading. Carrier said rain had pushed some work back but that crews hoped to make up days and remain on track for a 2026 completion.
Carrier told commissioners the contractor had to wait for dirt to dry after storms but that site grading was largely complete. “So super excited about that, and hopefully, weather permitting, they make up the days they lost, and we stay on track for our 2026 date,” Carrier said. She added that she will continue to provide updates at monthly commission meetings.
Commissioners asked operational questions during the update. One commissioner asked whether underground plumbing could proceed if wet weather continued; Carrier said the site manager (Jeremy) indicated they expected to proceed when feasible. When a commissioner asked what would happen to the existing shelter, Carrier said that was a separate issue not on that meeting’s agenda and that “we have had conversations about it.”
Votes at a glance: The commission approved the minutes as submitted at the start of the meeting. The motion was made and seconded on the record; roll call recorded Commissioners Hall, Kinsweiler, Burkett and Suarez voting yes. The mover, seconder and votes from Commissioners Paul and Coonsweiler were not specified on the transcript.
Background: The update on the new facility came under Item 3 on the commission agenda. Carrier and staff framed the construction timeline as weather‑dependent and emphasized contractor coordination and monthly status reports going forward.
Commissioners and staff said they would return with further details on the old facility and any related operational changes at a later meeting.
