Kennel Reno

Published on September 19, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Animal Care & Control Dog Kennel Renovations - Part two is set to begin.
Foster homes, adoptions, and transfers to rescues of dogs will be the key to saving their lives.

CHARLOTTE-NC, November 16, 2023 – Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control (ACC) “Part 2” of the animal shelter renovations are slated to begin on December 6 at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control (ACC).  These compliance renovations are to meet the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the American Disabilities Act standards.

The next phase will be what we are calling Kennel Renovation 2023 Part 2, which is the renovation of lost dog kennels, adoption dog kennels, and treatment dog kennels.

The team in charge of the ACC renovation project and the contractor have worked diligently to ensure that the animals are the top priority in these renovations as it relates to having to temporarily take away kennel space to upgrade the kennels. They have made substantial changes to the deadlines to ensure we have access to as many kennels as possible during the next phase of this construction.

Next section of kennel renovations: Lost Dog – 36 kennels:
The next phase is the demolition of the back section of the Lost Dog Kennels, which generally is used for rabies quarantines and dogs on hold for active court cases or investigations. This section has thirty-six (36) kennels. The deadline to have these kennels empty for the demo to begin is Wednesday, December 6.  We will have the indoor dog kennels back for use before this section begins.

“The next few phases of our dog kennel renovations are going to be the most challenging to date. But first, we would like to recognize all that CMPD, the City of Charlotte, the Charlotte Community, all our community partners, and most of all what our staff, volunteers, and fosters have done this past year and continue to do daily to help the animals in our care. Without this amazing outpouring, many more animals would have lost their lives during these challenging times. We hope that we can continue to count on your continued support as we upgrade the kennels in the upcoming months.

-Dr. Josh Fisher/Director of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control 

Relief kennels are open for use:

Additionally, we have felt some relief thanks to the opening of our ACC Satellite Shelter at 2700 Toomey Avenue, (The old Humane Society of Charlotte shelter) on Saturday, October 21, 2023. The City of Charlotte worked diligently for several months over the summer renovating this space allowing us to gain twenty-eight (28) dog kennels and eleven (11) cat kennels.  This space is being used mostly for our smaller dogs (under 45 pounds) and mostly kittens.  The square footage of the cat kennels allows us to house 3 kittens per cage if needed.  The satellite location is open seven (7) days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  This location is by appointment only. 
Appointments can be made here or at https://waitwhile.com/locations/toomeyavenueshelter/bookings/add/date

Goal: moving dogs through the shelter as quickly as possible will be the key to success:

During the next renovation phase, we will be down thirty-six (36) spaces for dogs. This means that it is critical to continue to move dogs through the shelter system as quickly as possible.  Many lost dogs will continue to enter the shelter daily, so we need to ensure we have more dogs leaving the shelter in positive outcome situations such as Adoption, going into long-term Foster, being transferred to a rescue group, or being reunited with their owner.  The key to success is: dogs moving out of the shelter faster than they are coming in.

How to work towards the goal:
When dogs in Adoption Kennels move out (by way of adoption, to a foster home, or to a rescue)
the dogs from Lost Kennels can move into those available kennels in Dog Adoption.

Adopt If you have been thinking about adding a dog to your family, there is no better time than now to help save a life while finding the best, loyal, and faithful companion.
Adopt

 Foster If you can’t adopt but have room for a foster, long-term fostering for Rest and relaxation (R&R) is urgently needed.
Foster

Sponsor Team up with a local doggy daycare or boarding facility to sponsor a stay for an ACC foster dog. Email: friendsofcmas@gmail.com

Donate to Friends of CMAS Pet Boarding Fund
https://www.friendsofcmas.org/donate

How can the public help keep dogs from entering the animal shelter and taking up the high-value kennel space:

Chip Make sure your dog has a microchip and the registration is up to date with your current phone number and address. Update in the ACC local database for Free.

ID Make sure your dog wears a collar with an ID tag with your current phone number and address. Visit the animal adoption center during normal business hours and request a free ID tag.

24-48 Hour Foster Hold on to a lost dog at your home while you look for his/her owner.  File a found dog report on our website to fulfill the legal obligation and then use our tips to help you search for its owner.

FAQ’s:

Q: Is there an update on the Hamilton Case dogs, how are those dogs affecting kennel space?
A: The case ended on Monday, October 23, 2023, and the remaining 26 dogs in the care of ACC were awarded custody to the City of Charlotte (ACC). ACC is currently working with placement partners and rescue groups on the potential placement of the remaining dogs.

Q: How long will this construction take?
A: Construction completion dates are very fluid, so it is hard for us to provide exact dates.  The City of Charlotte and the contractors on the renovation projects are working very diligently and conscientiously to take as few kennels at a time as possible, knowing that this has a huge impact our lifesaving efforts.

Q: Has the Satellite Shelter helped?
A: Any extra kennel space is of course very helpful, but more kennels come with a need for additional staff and a larger operational budget to cover more food, medical and cleaning supplies, and the basic cost of electricity, water, janitorial, trash removal cost and more.

Q: What helps the most in a situation like this?
A: Aside from the things we have mentioned about adopting and fostering:
1 - Ensure that your pets are spayed and neutered and not reproducing so that unplanned litters end up in the shelter. This includes community cats that live in the community. Make sure they become part of a TNR (Trap, Neuter, and Return).
2 – Adopt a pet from a shelter vs purchasing from a breeder.
3 – If you find a lost pet, consider fostering them, while you look for his/her owner.
4 – Knowledge is power! There are always so many inaccuracies floating around about municipal shelters, help educate by sharing correct information. If you ever have questions reach out to the Communications team or Shelter Management.
5 – Shelters being transparent about euthanasia and euthanasia reasons. As an advocate, never assume or make guesses or try to inflate shelter statistics to “scare or pressure people into adopting” Always share accurate numbers either from the shelter website or from the Communications team or Shelter Management.
6 – Be a pet detective! Help reunite lost and found pets with their owners.
7 – Volunteer at your local shelter