Animals and humans will benefit from a new $4 million Tazewell County Animal Control facility that has opened on the county's Tremont campus.
Invited guests toured the facility last week after Randy and Ryder, pit bull mixes who are the county animal control department's longest residents, pulled down the ribbons that adorned the doors.
The old facility, which was built in the 1990s and also is on the Tremont campus, was far behind its useful life. At about 10,000 square feet, the new facility is about twice the size of the old place.
"We drastically needed a new facility," said County Board Chairman Brett Grimm. "The old one felt like a dungeon. It was dark and hard to breathe in there because the ventilation system was so bad. Our employees who worked there love animals, but it was not a good place to work.
"Seven employees came over to me at the ribbon cutting and thanked me over and over for the new facility. That was humbling."
County Administrator Mindy Darcy said the new facility has a state-of-the-art ventilation system that will make it safer and more comfortable for animals, staff and visitors.
The ventilation system is actually three systems: one each for employee areas, quarantined animals and non-quarantined animals. At the old facility, the same air was circulated throughout the building.
"There will be a higher level of care for the animals at the new facility, and we're set up for the future," Darcy said. "Building the new facility was a good decision for Tazewell County residents."
Among the amenities at the new facility are a veterinarian suite that will replace occasional visits from a contracted vet, and dedicated adoption visit areas instead of random places for families to meet prospective pets.
County officials said there are plans to offer low-cost veterinarian services to the public at the new facility by 2028.
There's room for as many as 95 dogs, 35 cats and small animals to be housed comfortably in the new facility — unlike the overcrowded old facility — covered outdoor kennels, an outdoor play area, cleanable surfaces, proper drainage, and a storm shelter for employees.
Also, quarantine rooms and a fenced unloading area.
The animals haven't yet arrived at their new home.
"We're in mid-transition," said Animal Control Director Libby Aeschleman, the driving force behind a three-year campaign to build the new facility. She was hired for the position in 2000.
P.J. Hoerr was the contractor for the new facility project.
