Stafford’s new animal shelter has more than 100 kennels for stray, sick animals

STAFFORD — Stafford County unveiled its new 17,500 square foot Animal Shelter during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The new Animal Shelter is designed to enhance the lives of animals giving them an improved chance at adoption.

“This new facility will greatly add to the other excellent services we provide to the citizens of Stafford County as well as to the quality of life for all our residents – people and pets,” said Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Meg Bohmke. “When businesses and people are looking for somewhere new to locate, they look at the kinds of amenities offered in the community. This beautiful Animal Shelter demonstrates that we not only care about animals but that we care about our community.”

When the ribbon was cut for the new $5 million facility on June 19, we learned there are 38 dog kennels for adoption and stray hold; there are 12 kennels for observation and six kennels for isolation. There are also 12 small breed/puppy kennels.

For cats, there are 44 stray hold cages, six for observation and six for isolation. Five cat apartments can house a varied number of cats each depending on temperament, but an average of five in the smaller apartments and up to 10 in the larger apartment. The condo area has six towers which can house multiple cats each.

There is medical space that is unoccupied at this time with plans for the future. There are separate isolation areas for cats and dogs.

In 2017, there were 183 dogs euthanized at the shelter. The shelter averages ten dogs per month which are owner request euthanasia (the majority), and the remainder were either court ordered, temperament or sick/injured beyond treatment. There were 284 cats were euthanized in 2017 and were again, owner request, sick or injured beyond treatment or feral and unadoptable.

The Animal Shelter is located past the Rowser Building and Rappahannock Regional Jail at 26 Frosty Lane.