Animal Foundation breaks ground

The Animal Foundation broke ground Tuesday for a $14.5 million regional animal campus to be built adjacent to the Lied Animal Shelter at 655 N. Mojave Road in Las Vegas.

The nonprofit foundation currently operates the existing 35,000-square-foot shelter for the city of Las Vegas. Once the new 74,000-square-foot building is completed, it will also provide shelter services for the city of North Las Vegas and Clark County.

Diane Orgill, foundation president, said the expansion will enable the organization to provide "exceptional care" to the entities' homeless animals, all of which will be in one location.

"It will allow us to better serve the animals in our care, as well as the entire community, and at the same time be a model for energy conservation," she said.

The new building is expected to be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified by the Green Building Council for environmental and resource efficiency.

Designed by Tate Snyder Kimsey Architects of Henderson, the building represents a "breakthrough concept" in sheltering animals: much of its electricity will be generated by solar panels and wind turbines, and 80 percent of the water used will be recycled for use in cleaning.

Adoptable animals will be housed in a series of bungalows that will allow them to be shown in and out of doors. Solar panels will double as awnings to shade visitors as they move from bungalow to bungalow and get acquainted with potential pets.

The bungalows, dog adoption area and a barn to house large animals, including horses, comprise the project's first phase. The next phase includes the expansion of the existing shelter to include adoptable and lost-and-found animals, spay and neuter services and a shot clinic. The third and final phase will house adoptable cats, as well as a veterinary school and clinic.

The project is funded by local government agencies, grants and public donations. The city of Las Vegas donated the land.

Orgill said the city of North Las Vegas will take occupancy in March 2005, followed by Clark County in July 2005.

The Animal Foundation found homes for nearly 10,000 animals in 2003.

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