NEWS RELEASE-Hope on the Horizon: Plans Underway for Las Vegas Animal Care Center
- asalas843
- 6 hours ago
- 5 min read
Las Vegas, N.M. — Thanks to growing community advocacy and support, plans are finally taking shape for a new and much-needed animal care center in the City of Las Vegas. City officials, including Animal Care Center Manager Bea Gallegos, Police Chief Caleb Marquez, and shelter staff, recently met with Shelter Planners of America to discuss the vision and design needs for the upcoming facility, which promises to transform animal care and adoption services in the community.
The current shelter, built in the 1970s, has long struggled with space constraints, aging infrastructure, and limited resources. With $780,000 in capital outlay funding secured during the 2024 legislative session, city leaders are optimistic that the long-overdue overhaul is finally within reach.
“This has been one of my top priorities since taking office,” said Mayor David Romero, who began his term at the end of 2023. “Our animals and staff deserve a facility that reflects the care and compassion of our community. This project is about more than infrastructure; it is about hope and second chances. We want a place where animals can heal and thrive, where families feel encouraged to adopt, and where our staff and volunteers have the resources to provide the best care possible. It shows how deeply Las Vegas values its animals and the people who care for them.”
Current Facility Faces Growing Challenges
The existing Las Vegas Animal Care Center, located on the city’s west side, was built in the 1970s and has seen only minimal updates since then. Designed for a much smaller population and intake rate, the building struggles to keep up with modern standards of animal welfare, safety, and public accessibility.
The facility’s limited space means animals are often housed close together, creating stress and increasing the risk of illness. The cramped lobby area makes adoptions and intakes difficult, and there is little separation between the public, administrative, and animal care areas. Staff currently works in tight quarters with limited storage for food, bedding, and medical supplies, which adds to daily operational challenges.
Ventilation and temperature control are ongoing concerns. During the summer months, the building can become uncomfortably warm, while older systems make maintaining consistent air quality difficult. The lack of proper isolation areas for sick or injured animals makes it hard to prevent the spread of disease, particularly during times of high intake.
Gallegos said the building’s design simply doesn’t reflect the city’s current capacity needs or the growing expectations for humane, community-oriented animal care. “The shelter was built for a different time and a different purpose,” she said. “We’ve adapted as best we can, but it’s clear that our staff, volunteers, and animals need something better. We’re at a point where repairs aren’t enough. We need a new beginning.”
Expert Guidance from Shelter Planners of America
To help develop that new beginning, the city has partnered with Shelter Planners of America, a nationally recognized firm that specializes in designing and consulting on modern animal care and control facilities. The company has more than 40 years of experience working with municipalities across the United States to create efficient, humane, and sustainable shelters that meet both community and animal welfare needs.
Their expertise includes planning layouts that improve disease control, streamline operations, and enhance visitor experience. The firm’s involvement ensures that the City of Las Vegas will benefit from proven best practices and design strategies tailored to its unique size, climate, and community goals.
A Vision for a Modern, Welcoming Space
Early plans for the approximately 10,000-square-foot facility include a modern lobby with two reception areas designed to be welcoming and spacious. The vision also includes a dedicated cat room with climbing structures, as well as an intake area adjacent to the lobby with holding kennels and exam tables for newly received animals.
Behind the lobby, a larger staff office area would provide expanded workspace for a growing team. The facility would also feature ample storage for food, bedding, and supplies, as well as a volunteer room, staff lockers, and showers to support those who care for the animals every day.
Expanding Care and Capacity
The shelter’s new design would double its current capacity, providing separate housing areas for strays, maternity cases, isolation for sick animals, and specific sections for puppies, kittens, and adoption kennels. Plans also call for a behavioral and flight-risk area to ensure animals receive appropriate care while preparing for adoption.
Natural light and ventilation are key priorities. The housing area will feature indoor walkways and garage-style doors that open to outdoor runs, making cleaning easier and improving the animals’ quality of life. Outside, the facility would include play yards and walking trails for exercise and enrichment.
Community and Education at the Heart
One of the most exciting features of the new shelter is a multipurpose room designed to serve a wide range of community needs. The space will host workshops on animal care, volunteer training sessions, and special events such as “Shelter Movie Night” or adoption drives. During periods of high intake, the room can also provide temporary kennel space, ensuring no animal is left without proper care.
Education remains a central mission for the city. A $200,000 junior bill previously awarded to Las Vegas has supported spay and neuter clinics as well as animal education programs in local schools. These programs aim to teach responsible pet ownership, the importance of humane treatment, and how to prevent neglect and cruelty. City officials hope that by educating the next generation, they can help foster a culture of compassion and lifelong respect for animals.
The new shelter will also honor the animals that have touched the hearts of staff and the community. Each area of the facility will be named in dedication to animals lost to neglect, illness, or other hardships, ensuring their memory lives on. This initiative creates a lasting connection between the community and the animals it cares for, reinforcing the shelter’s role not just as a facility, but as a hub for compassion, learning, and community engagement.
Additionally, the shelter plans to incorporate interactive spaces where visitors, especially children, can engage with animals in safe, educational ways. These areas will encourage hands-on learning about animal behavior, health, and adoption, further strengthening the bond between the community and its furry residents.
Challenges and Dedication
Despite the positive momentum, challenges remain. Since May, the shelter has been caring for dozens of dogs held under court order, tying up valuable space and costing roughly $32,000 to date in care expenses.
The extended court holds not only create financial pressure but also affect daily operations. Limited space means staff must carefully manage intake from animal control and community surrenders, sometimes delaying new admissions. The emotional toll on staff and volunteers is also significant, as they provide care for animals in limbo without knowing when they will be able to move on to permanent homes.
These challenges highlight the need for a modern, expanded facility. A new shelter will allow the city to handle such situations more efficiently, prevent overcrowding, and offer each animal the attention it deserves. The project is focused on creating a safe, supportive environment for animals and the people who care for them.
The city continues to work with legal authorities, community partners, and animal welfare organizations to ensure that animals under court orders receive appropriate care while advocating for policies and processes that reduce lengthy delays.
Next Steps
The project will advance in phases as additional funding, lobbying efforts, and grant support become available. Two preliminary design concepts are currently under development, and local animal advocates will be invited to provide input before the final plans are completed with the project architect. City leaders anticipate that a comprehensive plan will be finalized in 2026, setting the stage for phased construction and implementation that address both immediate needs and long-term goals.
The Mayor and the governing body have directed City Manager Robert A. Anaya and staff to coordinate and communicate with community organizations, volunteers, and donors throughout the process. This collaboration will help ensure the new facility meets the needs of both animals and residents. Public input sessions and informational workshops will provide opportunities for community members to share ideas, stay informed about progress, and remain actively engaged as the project moves forward.