Brookhaven Courier

Issue date: 5/4/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Chris Vivero Farmers Branch welcomes an animal adoption center next to BHC. It's scheduled to open May 7 and will house cats and dogs.

The new Farmers Branch Animal Adoption Center will house up to 37 dogs and 31 cats and has a grand opening scheduled for 10 a.m. May 7.

In late 2007, the FB City Council approved the location for the new Animal Adoption Center under former Mayor Bob Phelps. Groundbreaking was held in September at 3727 Valley View Lane, located just east of the FB Justice Center and west of Brookhaven College.

According to the FB Web site, the new facility will include an indoor "Get-to-Know" room and an outdoor "Get-to-Know" courtyard that will allow future pet owners to interact and become better acquainted with prospective pets before completing the adoption process.

Adoption is available for a fee of $80 which includes a microchip, vaccines and a complimentary veterinary health check for sterilized animals.

The current animal shelter located on 13335 Senlac Road, which has a capacity to shelter eight dogs and 22 cats, will most likely be used as storage or a backup facility in case of an emergency.

"A final decision has not been reached yet," Jeff Crocker, environmental health administrator for the City of FB, said.

According to the city's Web site, the animal services provided by the Senlac Road location consist of:

Removal of stray animals

Public education programs

Animal bite investigations

Return of pets to owners

Nuisance complaints

Dangerous animal complaints

Quarantine animals

Removal of dead animals

Loan of animal traps

These services will be provided by the new facility once it has opened.

Crocker said he would like to start a training session for volunteers within the first month of opening. He said he welcomes and encourages Brookhaven College students to participate.

Brent Richison, continuing education student, said he thinks the center will get more volunteers since it's right next door to campus.

Richison said if his schedule permits, he will volunteer at the shelter.

For further information regarding the animal shelter or volunteer opportunities, students can contact Jeff Crocker at Jeff.crocker@farmersbranch.info.

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