One year after a few dogs dug in the dirt to mark the beginning of construction for the new Little Rock Animal Village, City Director Joan Adcock and other leaders hosted a tour of the construction site and announced future plans for the Animal Village.

The Animal Services Advisory Board sponsored the event to give the media and public a chance to see the progress being made on the construction of the new animal shelter, which is being called the Animal Village. The facility is scheduled for completion in May of 2007.

When the ground was dug up on February 9, 2006, the construction had been scheduled for completion in December 2006. Due to additional funding from the State of Arkansas (through the leadership of State Representative Pam Adcock) and other sources, design plans were expanded which prolonged the construction.

In addition to the tours, several announcements were made at the event. To help raise funds for further expansion, facility maintenance, and increased education efforts, the Animal Services Advisory Board is selling bricks, tiles, and Wall of Honor plaques that can be engraved with the name of a pet or human relative, friend, or business.

This information and updates on the programs and progress of Little Rock Animal Services can be found in the new Animal Village News which is being produced by the Animal Services Advisory Board.

One of the plans for future expansion in the facility is a cat playroom. Today’s THV’s Larry the Garden Cat was present to advocate for that addition. It was also announced that Larry and 99 other animals would once again serve as the non-human host committee for the Top 100 Cats & Dogs luncheon. This fundraiser is scheduled for March 28.

The 2004 Capital Bond program contained over $1.3 million for a new Animal Services shelter and education facility. Since that time additional city, state, and private funds have been added to further enhance the facility.

The new Animal Village will be located at 4500 S. Kramer Street, which is west of University Avenue near the First Tee golf facility. Until the new facility opens, citizens are encouraged to stop by the current Animal Shelter at 3800 South Chester to adopt a cat or dog. In addition, the mobile adoption unit “Pets-to-People” is often at festivals and other special events.

For more information on Little Rock Animal Services, the Animal Village, or the Animal Services Advisory Board, contact Mr. Tracy Roark at 501-376-3067.

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