SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- It's been talked about for years. Now Springfield's Animal Issues Task Force has given the City Council a proposal for a new animal shelter.
The proposed site of the new shelter is near Highway FF at James River Freeway. The Health Department says it's isolated enough to not be a problem for residents, but also has easy access because of the nearby highways.
The current facility is in a floodplain on Farmer Road.
Employees say the building is about 50 years old and has flooded several times. They say it's too small, rundown and not equipped to handle the number of animals they see.
“It's embarrassing as a community. Go look at Kansas City or St. Louis. It's obvious we are not keeping up and it shows in the number of strays and animals that are euthanized. It's barbaric and we can do better,” said Task Force Chairwoman Mary Collette.
According to the proposal, the new facility would provide space for state-of-the-art veterinary treatment, adoption rooms and even educational programs.
The task force says an actual building may still be a few years out but say this proposal means it's moved from a "wish list" to a "needs list."
While funding is still in question, the task force says it wouldn't be out of the question for a bond issue or a local sales tax. They eventually want the new building to be self-funded.