Transcript Staff Writer

Norman's human population is growing.

And as it grows, its pet population is growing too.

Ideas for how to handle those increases in Norman's stray pets at its animal shelters were unveiled Monday evening at a public meeting to get feedback on a rough draft of a plan to deal with that burgeoning population.

The plan recommends renovation of the existing 3,500-square-foot animal shelter and expansion by about 6,000 square feet to about triple its current size. Cost for the renovated and expanded facility would be about $1.7 million.

"What we are trying to do is come up with a solution through 2025 that's based on population growth," said Terry Tevis of Tevis Architects, the firm that worked on the study. "How many animals are represented by the growing population."

Tevis Architects have been assessing the shelter's current and future needs, building needs and cost analysis and assessing the existing facility from a functional and disease control aspect.

The Norman Animal Shelter is run by Maj. Jim Maisano of the Norman Police Department.

The current 3,500-square-foot animal impound building is 34 years old and can house 55 dogs and 25 cats. Its euthanasia rates are 50 percent for dogs and 75 percent for cats.

"There is nothing in there that serves a purpose that's worth preserving," Tevis said.

The report indicates the impound area is deficient in several critical areas.

"The overall animal and human flow for the employees is strained. The technology and setup of the existing caging system is no longer adequate or appropriate, and updating is needed for the mechanical and plumbing systems of the facility," the rough draft reads. "The allowable population of this building is barely adequate for dogs and is only approximately 50 percent of that needed for cats."

There is also a lack of sound control, no isolation areas and no external areas.

But the 2,500-square-foot Denese Miles Adoption Center is about five to seven years old in good condition, he said. It handles a population of 20 dogs and 20 cats. That facility would continue to operate as it is.

"Our job wasn't to look at the adoption center per se," Tevis said. "But we like the adoption area. We think that's a really good front door for the facility."