GREENSBORO, N.C. — Stray dogs and cats in Guilford County will soon have a newer, much larger shelter. It is expected to open in the next 18 months.
- New shelter will be able to accomodate 324 dogs and 250 cats
- Facility will cost roughly $12.5 million
- New shelter will be located on 12 acres of land on Guilford College Road
The Guilford County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the shelter's new $12.5 million facility. Parts of the current shelter date back to the early 1950's. The most recent addition dates back to the late 1980's.
Volunteers like Allison Dunmore told us, this is not a pound anymore and it should not look like one either.
"These dogs need love more than anything else — more than training, more than anything else — they need to feel like they're loved, so we need to have a place where they feel like they're important, that their needs are being met and their emotional and mental needs," Dunmore explained.
The new structure will have an additional wing for dogs, and its capacity will increase to accommodate 324 dogs and 250 cats. Not only will it provide a much better space for animals, but for humans too.
Long-time volunteer, Jessica Mashburn, said she's been waiting for the moment for quite a while.
"It will seem less like a prison and more like somewhere they want to choose their next family member. There are shelters in other counties that have much lower tax base and they have a much nicer shelters, so it's long overdue for us to catch up and show how compassionate Guilford county really is for animals," Mashburn said.
The new shelter will be located on Guilford College Road and will lay on 12 acres of land.