About 100 people endured wind gusts and brisk temperatures at the Nov. 21 groundbreaking ceremonies for DeKalb’s new $4.1 million Animal Overflow Units in Chamblee.
County and shelter officials abbreviated their remarks as the winds whipped, hats and papers flew around and attendees shivered while celebrating the first-such facility in the county, which will be built parallel to DeKalb’s shelter on Chamblee Dunwoody Road.
District 2 Commissioner Michelle Long Spears said the existing facility was designed to hold 225 animals with a maximum capacity of 475. Today, the shelter has a count of 603, with 670 at its peak population. The new so-called “pet neighborhood,” consisting of 10 pre-fab buildings, will house 120 animals.
DeKalb Project Manager Kip Robinson said the county has already purchased the 10 buildings, which will have both indoor and outdoor access, with each unit housing 12 dogs. All of the utilities for the shelter will be installed underground, “just like you would do for a subdivision.”
The concept is based on a similar structure in Gwinnett County, Robinson said.
The $4.1 million price tag was funded by general funds and monies collected through the county’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. Construction is expected to begin around the first week of December and be completed by late spring, Robinson said.
DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond called the groundbreaking “a wonderful day for DeKalb County.”
“I’m thrilled how the community rallied to provide this shelter,” he said.
Rebecca Guinn, the CEO of shelter operator Lifeline Animal Project, said the expansion “is going to help the quality of care for the animals in our facility and an improvement in the quality of life of DeKalb County residents.”
She highlighted some of the county’s amenities, like free food and veterinary care, that are available for people adopting animals from the shelter. She also offered a party favor to attendees – the opportunity to take home a new friend when they leave the ceremony.
“Each of you coming here can get a furry friend before you leave,” she said. “We have plenty and will make sure that you have one that you really like.”
