Aurora asks Coloradans for support with plan to replace 40-year-old animal shelter
The city of Aurora has plans to replace its 40-year-old animal shelter, and doing it will take some community support. The city of Aurora has plans to replace its 40-year-old animal shelter, and it will take some community support. In years following the pandemic, the shelter has constantly been at capacity.
When the Aurora Animal Shelter was built in 1983, it served a population of about 174,000 people. Today, that facility serves a city of around 400,000, and with more people came more animals.
Anthony Youngblood, division manager at Aurora Animal Shelter, says they can hold about 80 dogs at max capacity.
"We're almost always full," said Youngblood. "We try to keep kennels open for strays as much as possible. That's our number one priority, strays and court-hold animals, because we don't want aggressive animals living in the neighborhoods."
Due to limited space, Youngblood says someone surrendering an animal may have to be put on a waitlist.
The shelter created a foster program last year to house animals elsewhere but could not get enough qualified volunteers for dogs.
The city's limited in its ability to expand the current shelter. Plus, as the shelter gets older, it becomes more at risk of falling out of compliance with state regulations.
"As the Aurora Animal Shelter building ages and struggles to meet the needs of our growing city, the best way for us to care for the animals in our community is a larger and more comprehensive facility," said councilmember Danielle Jurinsky.
Council members voted to move forward with a new facility.
Depending on the design of the building, the city says the estimated cost of the new facility will be between $30 million and $40 million. They are currently working on the design phase and securing funding sources.
The city hopes funds raised through community donations will help close the funding gap.
The Wine and Wags fundraiser this summer will help support construction of a new animal shelter. The city says the goal is to raise $50,000.
"Every bit the community can help is going to make this go better, go bigger, go faster," said Youngblood. "We got into this field to take care of those animals. To know there won't be limits or restrictions is going to be amazing."
The Wine and Wags Fundraiser will include wine tasting, appetizers, live entertainment, silent auction, and pet supply vendors. The event will also include a donation drive for much-needed items to support the shelter.
The event is in partnership with Spirit of Aurora, a 501(C)(3) nonprofit. Wine and Wags is scheduled for August 27, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lake House at Cherry Creek Reservoir.
Sponsorships and tickets are now on sale at AuroraGov.org/WineAndWags
For more information, contact Rachel Whipple at rwhipple@auroragov.org.
