New digs: Site selected for Carson City's new animal shelter

Efforts to build a new Carson City animal shelter are under way after the Board of Supervisors selected a new site for the project.

A feasibility study conducted by Dave Gasser of Bowling Mamola Group and Doug Buck of BDA Architecture was submitted to the board Thursday with a recommendation to build the facility on an undeveloped area of the corporate yard on Butti Way near Airport Road.

The 10,000-square-foot shelter would replace the present facility, also on Butti Way, which was built in the 1960s.

"It's not adequate from an environmental standpoint or a safety standpoint," Buck told officials. "Our objective was first to find a suitable site based on location, access, cost and site features."

Even though the shelter has undergone some renovations recently, Health and Human Services Director Marena Works has said it is always at or beyond capacity for a population the size of Carson City, and its design standards are unacceptable by today's standards.

An undeveloped area consisting of Bureau of Land Management property and Carson City right of way on the southeast corner of Fifth Street and Carson River Road was also considered, but Buck said the conservation easement would preclude building a shelter there.

A partially developed portion of the Ross Gold Park near Snyder Avenue was also considered, but Buck said it also had conservation issues that would be difficult to resolve and that the fire station alarms could cause distress for animals.

The Butti Way site provides a number of benefits, Buck said.

It offers ample space, is on city-owned property, is a good distance from residences and is in a convenient location familiar to residents.

Supervisor Shelly Aldean asked whether the old shelter could be reused once a new shelter is ready for occupancy.

City Manager Larry Werner said the old facility could be demolished, providing expansion possibilities for the adjacent pet cemetery which is now at capacity. The building also might be suitable for a private pet boarding facility.

The city paid $85,000 from the Capital Improvement Project Fund last June to BDA to provide the study, site selection and design services.

Costs to build the new shelter will come back to the board once a preliminary design has been completed, but fundraising efforts are set to move ahead immediately.

Lisa Schutte told supervisors she established the Carson Animal Services Initiative, or CASI, to assist in fundraising activities for the shelter. She said members meet the third Tuesday of each month and that the group is looking to expand.

"We have some things in the works, some recreational opportunities that could also help the economy of Carson City," Schutte said.

After the meeting, Schutte said CASI is working with Parks for PAWS for a May 5 Bark, Whine and Dine event, but other ideas include a capital city marathon, probably around Nevada Day, and a century bike ride that could include areas of Northern Nevada and California such as Genoa, Luther Pass and Virginia City.

CASI also is looking into a buy-a-brick program and naming opportunities for rooms, benches and walkways for those making larger donations.

"Right now, I'm also looking into grants from foundations," Schutte said.