NORMAN — On Tuesday, voters will decide whether to approve a $3 million bond to remodel and expand the Norman animal shelter.
If the measure is approved, the expansion will increase housing for mostly dogs and cats picked up by animal control. In addition to accommodating Norman’s growing animal population needs, the expanded shelter also would be modernized to meet state guidelines and ensure better disease control and more humane facilities for pets and loose animals picked up by city animal control.
“The old part built in 1973 is extremely outdated and is conducive to the spread of communicable diseases,” veterinarian Dr. John Otto said. “It’s because those cages in the old facility are on top of each other.”
Stacked cages are not consistent with current guidelines for shelters. Otto, a Norman veterinarian who has been involved with care of the animals at the Norman shelter for 20 years, remembers three complete “kills” — times when he’s had to euthanize every animal in the shelter in order to stop the spread of disease.
“Euthanizing that many animals, you become like a robot. You have to detach yourself, or it becomes too difficult,” Otto said.
The nightmares of such events haunt Otto.
“That’s real, that actually happens,” Otto said. “If a resident’s dog ends up down there, it can get kennel cough or mange. If a Norman resident’s pet gets picked up, it can be exposed. This isn’t just about stray animals.”
Otto said disease can even spread into the community.
“This new shelter would help to prevent that,” Otto said. “There is also going to be an isolation area and an education center.”
One of two questions on the ballot, the five-year general obligation bond to build the shelter will be repaid through property tax assessment. With interest rates low, officials say this is a good time to obtain bonds.
If approved, it is anticipated the bond would add about 93 cents per month — $11.21 per year — to the property tax on a $100,000 home, based on estimates by City Finance Director Anthony Francisco.
Otto believes a new animal shelter is a good investment for Norman residents.
“Especially when you look at disease outbreaks, the cost of that would be tremendous,” Otto said. “Treating a case of parvo virus is about $1,000.”
Other costs associated with inadequate animal control could be a rancher losing a calf run down by a pack of dogs or the rabies treatment if a child gets bitten by a stray dog, he said.
“There are direct costs and indirect costs,” Otto said. “Preventative medicine is always more effective than reactive medicine. We’re trying to be proactive in the health care of our stray animal population.”
In 2008, the city of Norman completed a feasibility study and master plan. Tevis Architects, of Lenexa, Kan., did the shelter feasibility study. The report and other information related to the Tuesday ballot is available online at the city’s website, www.normanok.gov/cityclerk/election-november-8-2011.
The Tevis study provides a building-needs-and-cost analysis for the improvement of the existing animal welfare facilities. Norman already owns the land, and the expansion will connect with the current facility.
Current facilities consist of an animal adoption center built in 2004 and the main animal shelter constructed in 1973. Plumbing, ventilation and mechanical systems in the current structure are no longer adequate to meet the needs of the facility, according to the study.
At this time, about 55 dogs and 25 cats can be housed at the city facility. As Norman’s population increases, so will the pet population. If more space is not made available, more animals will have to be euthanized.
Furthermore, city animal control authorities report a concern for lost pets that are picked up by the city. Better disease control at the shelter means a lost pet does not have to be exposed to disease unnecessarily.
The proposed shelter improvement follows recommendations by the Humane Society and the American Shelter Veterinarians Association as well as the Citizens Animal Welfare Oversight Commission.
The current shelter measures about 5,000 square feet. If the bond issue passes, the current facility will be renovated and about 10,000 square feet will be added.
“We’re a progressive city in Norman and we have an opportunity to lead the state,” Otto said.
Norman Animal Welfare’s cooperative program with the Oklahoma State University of veterinary medicine allows the shelter to spay and neuter adoptable animals.
Joy Hampton 366-3539 jhampton@ normantranscript.com Like me on Facebook
