Williamson County Animal Heart now open, gives 20% ability boost


Builders have designed hundreds of new homes during Williamson County’s population growth — its human population increase, that is. As the county’s pet population grows, the county is prepared to better provide canine, cats and their owners through a new animal centre.
The Williamson County Animal Shelter held a grand opening party on Feb. 28 at its new site at 1006 Grigsby-Hayes Court in Franklin. The new facility will property puppies and cats for adoption and will host group events aimed at encouraging pet homeowners just take the best treatment of their furry buddies.
It really is a new route for the animal centre, which previously operated out of a making developed in 1994.
“The county looked a ton unique then, but also, animal sheltering looked a great deal diverse then,” director Ondrea Johnson said. “As sheltering has advanced, it is been considerably less about housing animals and far more about programming.”
The new 35,000-sq.-foot animal heart has area for 88 canine and 164 cats, a 20% potential maximize in comparison to the former building. All of the kennels have natural light-weight, and most give the pets access to enclosed outside locations they can access at their leisure.
You will find also place for amplified community engagement by a 100-seat training home. Programming will focus on teaching pet entrepreneurs how to conquer common issues like pet separation nervousness or house training so they can keep their pets. That can help hold the animal center’s populace at a healthful, minimal stage considering the fact that less pet entrepreneurs will return their pets.
“I want to be a companion to the group and a resource,” Johnson said. “I want them to assume of the middle if they have any dilemma with their animal.”
Employees are also substantially extra comfy at the new centre, Johnson said. The former building in the vicinity of Joel Cheek Park was not developed to functionality as an animal shelter or an office place, and Johnson mentioned two staff previously shared place of work room in a converted lavatory.
Former protection:Metro Nashville animal shelter is crammed to capacity and waiving pet adoption fees
For subscribers:‘We’re pretty much there’: Nashville family members are even now rebuilding 2 many years following 2020 tornadoes
“We are all in this article because we really like animals. We appreciate what we do. Everyone here is termed to be right here,” Johnson stated. “We beloved our occupation again at the previous setting up, but we’ve had to go again around to the previous setting up to get a number of issues this 7 days. All of us have said, ‘How did we get the job done there?'”
Johnson thanked local community donors for their contributions to the new center’s design. Donations will also fund up to 8,000 spay and neuter surgical procedures yearly, Johnson mentioned.
“When I say it was a community exertion, there were being a large amount of folks who actually ended up very generous,” Johnson reported. “It really is a desire come correct for me.”
How to visit Williamson County Animal Shelter
The new animal center is positioned at 1006 Grigsby-Hayes Court in Franklin close to Franklin Christian Academy. The center’s street handle experienced not been extra to navigation apps these kinds of as Google Maps at push time, and the centre has change-by-switch driving instructions available at adoptwcac.org.
Cole Villena covers Williamson County at The Tennessean, component of the United states Currently Network — Tennessee. Attain Cole at [email protected] or 615-925-0493. Observe Cole on Twitter at @ColeVillena and on Instagram at @CVinTennessee.