The City of Canyon is taking its first steps toward welcoming lost or stray cats and dogs into a new animal shelter facility, which has been requested by residents for quite some time.
On Tuesday afternoon, June 2, the Canyon City Commission took action on approving fees and charges for the new facility, including registration of animals deemed dangerous in court and fees for animal bites. Other fees will be for veterinary care and adoption costs.
There will also be fees for pets who are running loose, but charges will not go into effect until the animal control facility is completed.
Construction for the facility hasn’t started yet but has been listed at $400,000.
In July of 2023, Lisa Cox, City of Canyon Animal Control Director, was honored for her 18 years of service as the only Animal Control Officer.
She also worked in Amarillo in Animal Control for two years, totaling 20 years of service.
At that time, many residents turned out to thank her for saving their pet or sending one their way. Cox said she loved the job, but that Canyon really needed to face the issue of enlarging the Animal Control department and space as the population grows.
During the planning stages for the $14 million 2025 public safety bond election, money was set aside for construction of a new animal shelter. Previously, strays were housed in outside cages or sent to neighboring non-profit animal shelter facilities to be housed, until they could be returned to owners or adopted.
To make things even better, a local Canyon couple donated land to help the shelter project along.
Mayor Gary Hinders said that in 50 years, Canyon has doubled in size, and while they were needing to expand their fire and police departments with the bond election, they saw a need to add the humane animal shelter.
Hinders cited public support for the animal shelter and people attending meetings asking for such a facility.
Currently, Josua Barreto is the city’s animal control officer, along with Michael Baca.
More information will be coming out as soon as plans are drawn up and decisions made.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: City of Canyon prepares plans for new Animal Control facility
Reporting by Nell Williams, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Nell Williams, Amarillo Globe-News | USA TODAY Network
