Animal Shelter Facility

The current Animal Shelter was constructed in 2008 with funds from surplus sales tax. As the City’s first indoor shelter, it was designed to be cost effective and meet the needs of a growing city. However, in the 2015 Facilities Master Plan Update, it was determined that the needs of the City exceeded the capacity of the shelter, and the space was insufficient to accommodate expected growth from annexation of Greatwood and New Territory in 2017.

Expansion Study

In 2016, the City worked with a consultant to conduct an expansion study, developing a needs assessment, facility expansion options, and interim improvements for annexation. As a result of this study, the city selected the empty site next to the current Court and Police Department Building for construction of a new shelter.

In April 2017, the City partnered with Animal Arts to confirm the size, scope, scale, approximate budget, and site layout of the new animal shelter. The process focused on needs versus wants and provide cost options to aid the City in identifying budget needs and funding options. The city’s expanded facilities were expected to meet the city’s needs through 2030.

Animal Shelter Building
Shelter Entrance

Current Shelter Resources

As part of the 2017 shelter expansion project, an existing 2,400 sf modular building was relocated to the Animal Shelter and renovated to house cats and kittens. The existing 4,300 sq. foot Animal Services building has been renamed Barksburg and is home to dogs and puppies as well as animal control offices and shelter administration. 

The current Sugar Land Animal Services maximum housing capacity is 69 cats and 27 dogs including isolation units. While this is the limit of housing within the shelter, we utilize foster homes to increase total capacity and serve more animals.

Exploring Regionalization and a New Shelter Plan

In 2022 the City Council directed staff to explore potential regionalization of animal services with other entities such as the county and other cities as partners. This concept was studied in depth and discussions were held with potential partners but ultimately were stopped in 2023 after City Council directed staff to proceed with planning for a new City of Sugar Land Animal Shelter. 

Programming for the new shelter was evaluated by updating the previous work with Animal Arts and PGAL to develop a shelter size, scope and location. Additional sites for the new shelter were also evaluated including co-location on parkland, existing city facilities and existing commercial structures. 

Planning documents show a shelter with approximately 23,000 square feet of indoor air conditioned space and 3,000 square feet of exterior covered space. The size will house 80 dogs and 120 cats in segregated spaces with separate isolation areas to control the spread of diseases. The facility includes outdoor play areas, medical and administrative  space, community space within the shelter that can be utilized for educational purposes and staff trainings.