The doors are open at the city’s new North Animal Campus in far north Fort Worth, improving convenience and services for residents.
Voters approved $13.7 million in the 2018 bond election to build the state-of-the-art facility. The focus at the new shelter is on open spaces and human-animal interaction.
The facility sits on approximately 7.5 acres of natural Texas landscape with about 49,925 square feet for the various buildings.
“The new North Animal Campus has been intentionally situated on the North Texas prairie, where visitors will find outdoor trails, a natural pond and lots of open spaces,” said Dr. Tim Morton, Code Compliance Department assistant director, Fort Worth Animal Care & Control. “All of this is by design. Throughout the conception and building process, we have paid close attention to ensure the comfort and wellbeing of the pets that are entrusted to our care here. You’ll also find the latest animal care technology that our talented and dedicated staff will employ every day.”
The various structures include an adoption center with public meeting space and cat housing; a veterinary clinic with surgery and triage units; a sally port for animal arrivals; open work spaces for staff; and inviting indoor kennels with attached ample outdoor spaces for dogs and other pets.
There are five separated, naturally lit kennel pods, each with six separate play yards and four meet-and-greet yards. The separation is for containment of disease and stress control as well as reducing noise and reactive behaviors between dogs in separate pods or yards.
North Texans may recognize the look of the buildings — they are inspired by the cattle barns at Will Rogers Memorial Center. The design focus is on the simplicity of nature, steel, concrete and glass. The facility is situated around an existing pond with a native prairie landscape. There are also walking trails surrounding the area for the dogs to enjoy the outdoors and, of course, walks provided by community volunteers.
“This best-in-class new facility is a testament to the love and concern that Fort Worth has for animals,” said Brandon Bennett, Code Compliance director. “There are so many elected officials, city staff members, community volunteers and nonprofit rescue group partners who have been actively involved in making this opening a reality. We look forward to finding forever homes for every one of the pets that will be cared for at the North Animal Shelter.”
A community open house is scheduled for noon to 6 p.m. April 24-25. Everyone is invited to tour the campus and meet the adoptable pets. The new center is at 351 Hillshire Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76052 and is across the street from the Hillshire Drop-Off Station.