Sheila, shelter staff, told the Wylie Animal Shelter Advisory Board on Nov. 5 that the city's animal shelter building no longer meets operational needs and recommended pursuing a third-party study and a bond or other funding to build a new facility.

The advisory board's work-session discussion centered on staffing and capacity pressures, program growth and community outreach. Sheila said the shelter handled roughly 680 calls for service during the last reporting period, operates six days a week with five full-time animal control officers and frequently relies on overtime and on-call duties. She said a recent reporting period showed a higher volume of intake ("77" animals in one report), with 22 rereleased to caretakers and a number of animals temporarily in foster or awaiting classification.

The comments explained why quarterly statistics can show swings: animals initially categorized for trap-neuter-return (TNR) can later be reclassified as adoptable after evaluation or placed in foster care, and outbreaks of contagious illness affect intake disposition and the ability to release animals. "We're doing everything we can do," Sheila said, describing efforts to avoid euthanasia and to expand low-cost vaccine clinics and TNR work.

Board members and staff described operational consequences of the facility's location and layout: the current building has limited intake space (an intake room that holds nine cats, according to an assessment Sheila referenced), little natural light, constrained cleaning workflows and insufficient volunteer and storage space. The assessment supplied to the board recommended space for no fewer than 45 cats to meet current service demand. Sheila said other municipalities of comparable or smaller size have recently built facilities that cost multiple millions.

Sheila said the shelter also provides services beyond intake and adoption: low-cost vaccine clinics (one recent clinic served roughly 165235 animals over two hours), school and senior outreach programs, transport to outside veterinarians and cross-jurisdictional assistance with Collin, Dallas and Rockwall counties. She urged the board to share an architecturally informed bond proposal and a GIS-based list of city-owned property options with council so the public could weigh in.

Board members emphasized volunteer capacity and staff well-being. Members said a visible, accessible site would increase community engagement and volunteering and reduce pressure on staff and local rescue groups, which the board said are currently "inundated." One member noted the work causes high stress for shelter staff and volunteers and urged that any planning account for mental-health supports and more volunteer-friendly space.

Votes at a glance

- Approved minutes of the Aug. 13, 2025 meeting (motion: "accept the minutes as presented"). Motion passed 5'0.
- Accepted and placed on file the 2025 third-quarter statistical information for shelter operations (motion text: "accept and place on file the statistical information as submitted"). Motion passed 5'0.
- Accepted the advisory report (motion to accept the advisory report as presented). Motion passed 5'0.

Sheila said she will produce additional operational statistics (call volumes, overtime, historical trends) and shared an assessment package and a draft bond program proposal with the board for feedback. Board members urged coordinated outreach to the city council and residents so voters would have information in advance of any future bond question. Several members offered to visit the shelter and to speak to council or the public about the facility needs.

The meeting record shows the board then reconvened to regular session and adjourned after a unanimous vote.