The Stockton Animal Shelter received a new leash on life at the recent groundbreaking ceremony kicks off the start of numerous renovations to the facility.
City Manager Harry Black says the animal shelter’s renovations are much needed, noting it has a significant impact on the community.
“What we spend our money on reflects what our priorities are,” Black said. “This has been a long time coming. As I’ve said we are excited we are able to make this investment in this facility which is been here for a long time and serving a significant purpose in our community.”
The upgrades coming to the facility, located on 1575 South Lincoln S., are designed to update the facility with additional spaces for services and technology needed to carry out their missions of animal care.
According to Black, the animal shelter is quite efficient. This year, the shelter has taken in 7,026 animals, performed 3,328 surgeries, and completed 1,170 trap, neuter, and release of animals in the Stockton area.
Black said funding for the project came from the American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus State and local Fiscal Recovery Funds (ARPA) and contributions from the Carl O. Schatz estate trust and the Geraldine Schmidt estate trust. The Stockton City Council also approved funding for the animal shelter during the Sept 20 council meeting.
Some of the upgrades coming to the shelter include improvements to its power supply, backup generators, repurposing several modular buildings, and brand-new industrial freezers. The exterior of the building will also receive an update encapsulating the city’s vision for its animal population.
Additional shelter improvements include a brand-new medical facility, conference spaces, staff offices, rehabilitation areas, animal isolation rooms and bathrooms. According to officials, the facility renovation is expected to be completed by spring 2026.
Swatt Miers Architects from Emeryville, California, are behind the design of the renovated animal shelter, displaying renderings of the building to members of the public alongside clear baddies of doggy treats for people to take home.
Several of the shelter’s animals were also on display at the day’s events, including a three-year-old gray American pit bull terrier named Deamona, who posed for the audience as Stockton Mayor Kevin J. Lincoln addressed the people in attendance.
Lincoln says this project symbolizes the city’s commitment to putting its best foot forward in caring for its “furry family members” and providing necessary services for the local community.
“How a community and how a city takes care of and cares for their animals is a reflection of who we are as a community and as a city,” Lincoln said. “When this project is completed, its going to speak volumes about our continued investment into our families and our extended family members. Our little furry family friends.”
Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the importance of quality care provided by the Stockton animal shelter staff to the animals in the city.
“They (animals) are a part of our community, and we need to treat them as such,” McFadden said. “We are going to keep being creative in ways that we can bring animals to the forefront of what we are doing.”
Rounding out the list of speakers was Tiffany Dobson, the deputy district director for Rep. Josh Harder, who presented a certificate of congressional recognition for the Stockton Animal Shelter. Dobson says the certificate recognizes the animal shelter staff’s efforts in advising the development process of the renovation effort.