Pflugerville Animal Shelter

By Kathryn Eakens Friday, 04 June 2010

PFLUGERVILLE —  

Pflugerville is expected to reach a population of more than 50,000 residents when the 2010 census results are released, and as the city approaches the milestone, the growing number of residents also means a growing pet population.

Since 1985, the Pflugerville Police Department’s Animal Control Division has operated the city’s animal shelter at 1600 Water Brook Drive. But with Pflugerville’s rising pet population, division leader Lt. Bill Anderson and the Pflugerville Pfurry Pfriends—a newly formed nonprofit organization—say the time has come for a new facility.

In addition to the need for more space, they said the shelter’s location behind the Gatlinburg subdivision, near the intersection of Pecan Street and Immanuel Road, is not ideal.

“The majority of people don’t know where the shelter is, or even that Pflugerville has one,” said Lissa Slovacek, one of the founders of the Pfurry Pfriends.

A number of residents, including Lynn Vaughan and Heather Shaddock—also founding members of the organization—spoke to the Pflugerville City Council April 13 regarding the need for a new shelter, estimated to cost $1.5 million. Anderson said Police Chief Charles Hooker put in a request for funding when the city began its annual budget process in April.

“We’re all for a new shelter and a new location, but it’s all up to the budget, which usually comes out in October, so right now it’s still up in the air,” Anderson said.

Until the city is able to fund the construction of a new shelter, Anderson and the Pfurry Pfriends say they will continue to work to increase awareness of the shelter and improve the lives of the animals there.

“It’s a nice shelter,” Slovacek said. “It’s always clean, and you can tell the animal control officers really care for the animals. It’s just that it’s a bit small.”

Vaughn has been volunteering at the shelter for four years, and when the Pfurry Pfriends formed in February, she was the shelter’s sole volunteer.

“Just by forming this group we’ve gotten tons of people to begin volunteering at the shelter,” Slovacek said.

The organization also plans to do fundraising to help buy equipment and furnishings for a new shelter. If money for a new facility is not allocated for the upcoming budget year, Slovacek said the group will use any funds raised to make improvements to the existing shelter.

“With more volunteers, that means we can take out more animals, and we’re checking around town for additional locations,” Slovacek said. “The main goal is to try to save as many animals as we can—to get them adopted.”

Regular adoption events

Petco
First and third Saturday and Sunday of each month, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Stone Hill Town Center
19000 Limestone Commercial Drive, Pflugerville

Pflugerville Farmers Market
Tuesdays May 4 to Aug. 31, 3–7 p.m.
901 Old Austin-Hutto Road, Pflugerville

Pflugerville Pfurry Pfriends fundraiser
July 24, noon­–5 p.m.
Featuring barbecue, live music and a raffle
Hanover’s Draft Haus
108 E. Main St., Pflugerville