Regional Animal Services Center Plan Gets Underway

TYLER � The SPCA of East Texas has formally retained the services of a specialized architectural firm for the study and design of a Regional Animal Services Center. Animal Arts of Denver, Colorado, has been contracted to perform a feasibility study for the assessment of the needs of the community. The SPCA of East Texas will be hosting an all day workshop this Friday, January 14th, for City of Tyler Animal Control, Northeast Texas Public Health District (NETPHD), Smith County Sheriff�s Department, Smith County Animal Control, Animal Rescue Fund (ARF), the Humane Society of East Texas, SPCA of East Texas and several other members of local government.

Currently, over 10,000 dogs a year are being euthanized in the Tyler/Smith County community. The 2007 cancellation of the city and county animal contracts by the Humane Society left the community with no local animal shelter or adoption facility. Officials say the creation of a Regional Animal Services Center would provide numerous important services to the community that are currently unavailable locally. Funding for the new center is being sought through the SPCA of East Texas Capital Building Campaign. A kickoff benefit concert is scheduled for February 12th at the Lone Star Event Center in Tyler.