Animal services urges cat-building, isolation rooms and kennel repairs after state inspection

Animal Services Director Danette Langdon told the Board that while total calls and animals handled this year are slightly down, cases have grown more complex — including multiple hoarding and mass-intake incidents and a Chihuahua case that ultimately involved dozens of dogs. Langdon said grants have expanded access to medical treatment and reduced euthanasia, but an inspection from the New Mexico Board of Veterinary Medicine / Animal Sheltering Board (the first inspection in 23 years) flagged program needs: a separate cat room, a properly configured isolation area for parvo and sick animals, and replacement of old, rusted kennels.

Langdon outlined a capital approach that could pair a low-cost metal building shell with modular stainless-steel kennels and local contractors to build out a dedicated cat building near the current south-side awning, connecting through an existing window opening. Commissioners and grants staff agreed to retitle the ICIP project to "Torrance County Animal Shelter - Plan, Design, and Construct Improvements," mark it as shovel-ready and move forward with funding and design work. Langdon also noted operational problems — currently 24–30 puppies awaiting intake but no space until adult dogs are adopted — and identified kennel repairs as the immediate priority.