EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — El Paso County officials are continuing to gather community input as plans move forward for the region’s first county-run animal shelter. A third public meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at the El Paso County Coliseum.
The meeting marks the latest step in a broader outreach effort tied to a voter-approved capital improvement project. KTSM reported the shelter is part of a bond initiative approved in 2024 that allocated more than $32 million toward its development, alongside other county infrastructure projects.
County to host another meeting on new animal shelter
County leaders say the upcoming session will focus on Phase Two of the project, including updated design concepts shaped by earlier public feedback. Residents will be able to review preliminary layouts, learn about potential features such as public art installations, and ask questions about the project timeline.
“We just want to give the public as many opportunities as possible to comment and have a say on this animal shelter,” El Paso County Commissioner Iliana Holguin told KTSM during an interview on 9 News at Noon. “We know how important this is to the voters who approved is a part of the 2024 bond election.”
Previous meetings have emphasized community involvement in shaping the facility’s design. Officials noted that earlier input has already influenced elements such as layout options and aesthetic features, with residents even given opportunities to vote on design preferences.
Commissioner Holguin said that the county is seeking public input on a potential expansion of the PAWS (Pets Advancing Wellness & Success) Program.
“We want to build on the program already in place at the Jail Annex, where inmates can develop skills they can use when they return to the community,” Holguin said.
The initiative pairs vocational training for low-risk inmates with animal care, helping rehabilitate pets while improving their chances of adoption.
The planned shelter will be located adjacent to the El Paso County Jail Annex and is expected to provide a range of services beyond animal housing. These include low-cost or no-cost vaccinations, as well as spay and neuter procedures aimed at reducing the spread of disease and controlling the stray animal population.
Officials say continued public participation will play a key role as the project moves into more detailed planning stages, with community feedback helping guide both the design and services offered at the future facility.
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