Meridian’s stray and lost animals will have better accommodations coming as the City Council on Tuesday earmarked funding for the construction of a new animal shelter.

 

The council voted for a budget amendment that will provide $540,000 for the demolition of the current animal shelter and construction of a new facility in its place.

 

Councilman Dwayne Davis, who has championed the push for a new shelter, said Tuesday’s vote is an exciting start to tackling a much needed solution for both Meridian Animal Control and the pets in its care.

 

“I’m excited about the funding that’s going to be earmarked and encumbered for the animal control building,” he said. “$540,000 to get a brand new facility.”

 

In a March 11 work session, Animal Control Supervisor Brian McCary told council members the total cost of the project was estimated at approximately $740,000. The council previously allocated $200,000 toward the project during the 2024 fiscal year.

 

Built in 1978, Meridian’s animal shelter, located on Cooper Street, is largely unchanged, with known renovations including a new door in 2012 and a new air conditioning unit in 2024. While repairs have kept the facility operational, the building is past its operational life and is no longer suitable to meet an animal shelter’s needs.

 

McCary said the new shelter will be an entirely new facility, with even the foundation being repoured to meet the needs of a modern animal care facility. During the construction, animal control offices will relocate to a secondary building on site, which is currently used to house stray animals.

 

Davis said he believes a new shelter will be a positive change for the city.

 

The council on Tuesday also voted to allocate $150,000 to Community Development the help pay for demolition of condemned structures and $75,000 for cutting limbs and trees overhanging city rights of way. Davis said the city should be able to remove an additional 50-60 structures with the funding and address problem trees throughout the community.