Saugerties animal shelter asks Woodstock for support on new $5M facility; shelter says current building is inadequate

Theo Davis introduced a presentation by representatives of the Saugerties animal shelter describing the shelter’s operational relationship with Woodstock and an ongoing effort to build a new facility to replace cramped, repurposed space that staff and volunteers are currently using.

"The current shelter building is sorely inadequate," Theo Davis said, describing cramped cat and dog housing, limited medical and volunteer space and operational constraints. Shelter representatives said the building is under construction, that SIP panels had recently been delivered and that, with remaining work, a finished building is projected for January 2027 with occupancy shortly after.

In answering questions, presenters said the financing approach is a mix of donations, grants and a bond the town of Saugerties has taken; they estimated the project is "about 50 to 60% of the way there" toward the revised budget. A presenter told the board the original estimate was about $1.8 million and that post-COVID price increases pushed the project costs closer to $5 million.

Board members offered to share the shelter’s fundraising links on the town's website and Facebook page and asked staff to circulate the presentation materials. Shelter representatives also described plans for volunteer engagement, regular outreach events and a proposed dedicated wildlife holding room to connect injured wildlife to rehabilitators.

The board did not take a funding vote during the meeting but discussed avenues for promotion and community support.