Construction underway for new animal shelter in Faulkner County

Faulkner County officials announced that construction on a long-awaited new animal shelter is now underway at 597 US-65 in Greenbrier.

The project was made possible with support from the county's volunteer tax dollars and is projected to open in approximately 180 days.

By: Samantha Romano
THV11

Faulkner County officials announced that construction on a long-awaited new animal shelter is now underway at 597 US-65 in Greenbrier.

The project was made possible with support from the county's volunteer tax dollars and is projected to open in approximately 180 days.

“The shelter has been a difficult endeavor to take on, and the need for a paradigm shift was necessary for progress to move forward. Creating a business model that is sustainable, while successfully integrating that model with public safety and animal welfare, has been the objective. The people of Faulkner County have needed assistance with animal welfare issues for a long time, and the journey has been, and will continue to be, a slow learning process. This endeavor is progress over perfection, and I expect the shelter to walk before it can run, which may mean opening in phases. Importantly, the Faulkner County Judge’s Office and Quorum Court have worked together to create an animal welfare unit that supports the people of our county without raising taxes for our residents," stated JP Maree Coats, a longtime supporter of the project and sponsor of the legislation within Faulkner County Quorum Court stated.

After years of complaints by residents about stray or vicious animals in the area, the Faulkner County Quorum Court allocated funding for the project to begin in February 2024.

Faulkner County Administrator Randy Higgins will serve as the liaison between the Faulkner County Judge’s Office and Sowell Architects, the company responsible for overseeing the shelter's construction.

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