The City of Newcastle’s new Animal Shelter is complete and open at a cost of $3.1 million. City leaders said their vision has continued to be adoption, re-homing, and relocation to safe environments for as many stray animals as possible.
“The state only requires a 72 hour hold, but many of our intakes stay many weeks with us while we work on their best behalf,” said a City spokesperson. “Euthanasia is a last resort for unadoptable animals, which is handled in a humane manner.”
The old city facility had space for only 10 animals with limited quarantine and capabilities. Cat spaces were even more limited. In 2023, with just 10 spots available, nearly 90 animals were serviced, and 28 were returned to their owners. More than 38 dogs and cats were adopted.
The new facility will address many of the City’s current and past challenges in animal services and allow the City to do an even better job.
The animals are now all housed inside in a climate controlled environment. Many runs are inside/outside with each four runs having a huge 15’ x 8’ play area for enrichment and exercise. There are spaces for more than 26 dogs which includes quarantine and isolation runs.
There are 24 cat condominiums (see photo below) which allows shelf and hiding spots for the inhabitants. The enclosed room prevents cats being exposed to barking dogs, greatly decreasing their stress and adding to their quality of life. The condos can also be utilized for small dogs and puppies, or small animals requiring a more enclosed space.
The public area has a large meet and greet inside area to play with the potential adoptees. There is also an outside turf area for visiting, playing, and adoption events. There is a foyer, a reception area, offices, a breakroom for the volunteers and employees, and restrooms.
The new facility is in a secured building for continued safety of all. The two animal control trucks can be pulled inside the building before handling intakes.
After hours and on weekends, the police officers or the on-call Animal Control officer can also bring in animals to be processed the next business day. This allows seven days-a-week services, which have not been easily available in the past, officials said.
Intakes will get a full physical examination by one of the Animal Control Officers, then a bathing area (in photo below) will allow cleanup as well as flea and tick control.
If veterinary care is necessary, it can be arranged. All animals are also scanned for microchip identification to assist in reunification efforts. Typically animals can’t be adopted until after a three-to-five day period. All efforts are made to find the original owner of these animals.
If interested, potential adopters can find the facility’s animals on the Animal Shelter’s facebook page, https://www. facebook.com/cityofnewcastleanimalcontrol/.
