The Norman Transcript
March 26, 2008 12:25 am
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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."
The 20-year development plan would serve the estimated 135,000 population in 2025. By then, the impound area would need to accommodate 66 to 73 dogs and 49 to 54 cats.
The single facility would satisfy the impounding and adoption holding needs of animal control, enforcement and sheltering components. It would provide additional animal holding areas to allow for the containment of disease cross contamination.
"The number one way to prevent disease is to keep it from getting into the facility," Tevis said.
The shelter environment would be in line with the current recommendations of the Humane Society of the United States and other governing agencies.
Dr. John Otto asked if the City plans to continue with its aggressive spay and neuter program, with Oklahoma State University veterinary students traveling to Norman two days per week to do spaying and neutering on all animals that go up for adoption.
"Really since we have been doing this, the number of animals we are taking in has dropped," Otto said.
"We will continue to do 100 percent spay and neuter," Maisano said.
The recommended stray animal holding area would be 4,700 square feet. It would include a cat area with 56 to 84 cages; dog holding area with 40 runs and 16 cages, long term/bite holding area with 10 runs; general storage room, tech work area, janitor room, mechanical room and food prep and storage.
A 2,300-square-foot area would include the laundry room, a general storage room, mechanical and utility room, euthanasia room, break room, employee toilets with shower, changing area with lockers, workshop and covered cremation area.
A new delivery garage would include a triage area and an area to hold feral cats.
Alternates that could be added to the plan include a fenced exterior play yard, covered exterior play area, habitat rooms, cat and dog adoption expansion and a training center.
Tevis said it would be important for the expansion to be phased, because the facility would need to continue to operate during construction.
Maisano said there are also plans to expand when the City moves its compost facility and include a corral to hold horses and other animals.
A study session is planned for Norman city councilmembers in April, Maisano said. How the renovation and expansion would be financed has yet to be determined.
Suggestions and input may be sent to Maj. Jim Maisano at the Norman Police Department at jim.maisano@NormanOK.gov or call 321-1600.
Carol Cole-Frowe 366-3538 ccole@normantranscript.com
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