Volunteers present plan and cost estimates to replace county animal shelter; commission recommends site survey

Volunteers advocating for a replacement Northumberland County animal shelter presented Feb. 19 to the Planning Commission, outlining building-size options, rough cost estimates and site constraints and asking the commission and staff to help evaluate county-owned land for a new facility.

Peter Williams, speaking for the Friends of the Northumberland County Animal Shelter, said volunteers ran multiple cost scenarios and concluded a full 10,000-square-foot shelter could cost about $3.5 million to $4.2 million, while a more modest replacement of the existing facility footprint would likely cost about $2.1 million to $2.8 million. "We'd love to build a 10,000 square foot structure, but I don't know whether we can raise the money and I think it would be really hard for the county to support it once they get the building," Williams said.

Commissioners and staff discussed potential county-owned parcels including the Poor House tract (about 140 acres), a Botsburg/Locksburg site and the current shelter parcel. Staff mapped topography, wetlands and a steep gully that creates access challenges and explained the need for culverts or a bridge and septic fields; commissioners recommended getting a land survey to establish feasible build sites and locating power and access routes before committing to a plan.

Williams and Friends representatives described the existing shelter as about 7,500 sq ft with an on-site capacity of roughly 36 dogs and 14 cats and said the shelter handles about 380 animals per year. The presenters favored masonry (CMU) construction for durability and hygiene but noted higher initial cost; they also flagged operating and staffing concerns if the county were to own and operate a larger facility.

Next steps agreed by the commission and volunteers included surveying county-owned parcels to identify 9–15 acre buildable areas, investigating potential easements from adjacent landowners to avoid expensive road construction, and returning with refined cost estimates and site plans. Volunteers said fundraising could take under two years if a parcel and plan are agreed.

The discussion produced no formal action other than direction to pursue surveys and staff follow-up; commissioners urged coordination with county administration before any formal commitment of county funds or land.