Animal Shelter Task Force

276215590_337963928355487_8740231459532386952_nAnimal Control staff moved into the new Animal Shelter in late February 2020, but due to COVID, the grand opening was delayed. The facility held a much anticipated ribbon cutting event on April 10, 2022.  

February 7, 2020

We’re getting closer and closer! Check out some of the latest pics from the new Animal Shelter!

January 25, 2020

During this week, crews completed all the flooring throughout the building. Animal cages were installed along with doors and hardware. Coming up next week and beyond:

  • Completion of plumbing
  • Completion of lighting installation
  • Final paint touch ups
  • Furniture delivery and installation
  • Window treatment installation

December 31, 2019

December 20, 2019

It's so exciting seeing the progress on the new Animal Shelter! 

Progress has been made on the inside and out over the past week, including on siding, garage doors and exterior painting. The interior block walls were finish painted and windows at the kennels were installed installed.

December 6, 2019

What a difference a few weeks makes! 

November 8, 2019

Check out the amazing progress crews have made on the new animal shelter over the last several weeks!

The remaining concrete work was completed this week. Contractors began work on exterior masonry (outdoor dog kennels) and installation of doors and windows.

Coming soon: insulating walls, continued installation of doors and windows; sheetrocking; and exterior siding. 

September 27, 2019

 All site concrete has been completed with the exception of the anti dig strips at dog run fencing.The contractor's framer started this week with layout and building all headers and gables. Next week, the framing crew will be onsite and should have all walls in time for the trusses midweek. The contractor will start the parking lot final grade next week in prep for asphalt.

September 20, 2019

Kennel walls started to go vertical this week! All sidewalks and flat curb were installed. Next week, we will start to see the wood framing.

September 6, 2019

Great progress in the last month brought us to this week with the slab going along with all the masonry door frames. Crews followed this up by starting to put up the masonry walls. We will see continued progress on this front over the next several weeks.  

August 2, 2019

Footings have been poured, offering a clearer view of the building outline! 

Our own Utilities Construction crews has been helping out by installing water lines for the project.

July 15, 2019

The contractor and subcontractors are moving right along! Most of the site grading is completed and a rock base for most of the parking lots and drive lanes have been installed. 


July 1, 2019

Now that the site has dried out a bit, the contractors have been able to make progress on grading at the site for the new Liberty Animal Shelter! This week the crews worked on cutting and grading the site to create a level surface for the new building.

In one of the images below, you can see the Liberty Utilities Operation Center and Wastewater Treatment Facility (left) and the Fire Department's Training Tower (right).

May 13, 2019

Shawnna Funderburk, Assistant to the City Administrator, provided the City Council with an update on the new Animal Shelter at the May 13 City Council meeting.

March 27, 2019 - Groundbreaking Day!

The Liberty City Council, Animal Shelter Task Force, staff, members of the design-build team, residents and some four-legged friends gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Animal Shelter, which will be located adjacent to the Liberty Utilities Operations Center off of Riverview Road. 

The Animal Shelter Task Force and the design-build team are finalizing some of the details. Stay tuned for more updates and progress pics. 

Thanks to the Liberty voters who made this day a reality! 

February 27, 2019 

Members of the Animal Shelter Task Force met with Centric Projects' staff to begin finalizing plans for the animal shelter. 

February 11, 2019 

The Liberty City Council approved a design-build contract with Centric Projects, LLC for construction of an new animal shelter. City Council Action Report»

Animal-Shelter-Rendering-for-web

The 7,297 square foot facility will include: 

  • Lobby with reception area with seating for 12 and adoption visitation room
  • Three door garage bay (with heating for animal overflow during emergency events)
  • Intake room (off of garage bay area)
  • 32 indoor dog runs
  • Veterinary medical services room
  • Feline ward rooms with kennels
  • Reinforced storm shelter
  • Animal Control staff office with restroom, lockers and shower
  • Storage/laundry room 
  • Indoor canine play room
  • Isolation room
  • Conference and training room with kitchenette
  • Safety, security and storm protection

Beyond the indoor facilities and amenities, the project will also include: 

  • 17 outdoor covered dog runs
  • Four outdoor play areas (with shade structures)

December 2018

The City of Liberty is currently in contract negotiations with the top project proposer.

August 2018

The Liberty Animal Shelter Task Force have asked three of the design-build teams that responded to its Request for Qualifications to submit proposals for the new animal shelter. The project is on track to be awarded to a design-build team by the end of October. 

June 20, 2018

The Liberty Animal Shelter task force members and staff toured the Great Plains SPCA Adoption Center in Independence. 

AS TF GPSPCA Tour Pic 3

June 13, 2018

In their ongoing quest for ideas for a new animal hhelter, task force members and staff toured the Shor-Line Manufacturing headquarters in Kansas City, Kan. Shor-Line is an international company that has manufactured high-quality animal housing for the last 60 years. 

AS TF Shor Line Tour Pic 3 for web


May 30, 2018

The Animal Shelter Task Force toured the recently opened Liberty Camp Bow Wow as part of their ongoing efforts to research facilities and collect ideas for Liberty's new shelter.

May 17, 2018

The City of Liberty is Requesting Qualifications for Design-Build Teams for a new animal shelter on City-owned property. The City will contract with a design-build team to complete the animal shelter project.  Request for Qualifications Details has closed.

May 16, 2018

The Animal Shelter Task Force visited two recent City of Liberty construction projects -- the Utilities Operations Center and Fire Station #1 -- to gather ideas for the new animal shelter. They also visited a possible site for the shelter near the Utilities Operations Center. 

May 7, 2018

An Animal Shelter Task Force, comprised of individuals who are Liberty residents, business owners, veterinarians and elected officials met with City staff for the first time on May 7. The task force will work with staff and a yet-to-be selected design-build team to begin designing a new animal shelter. As part of their research, the task force will visit several area shelters and rescue organizations as well as recent City construction and remodel projects in the coming weeks. The task force is also looking at fundraising, grant and crowdfunding opportunities to provide additional funding beyond the $2.5 million from projected Use Tax revenues.

Task Force Members

  • Laurie Brown
  • Dr. Joe Howard
  • Councilwoman Rae Moore
  • Dr. Chris Morrow
  • Dr. Lori Rohlfing
  • Bill Taylor
  • Councilman Jeff Watt

April 3, 2018

In April 2018, Liberty voters approved a 3/8-cent Use Tax with a vote of

Yes: 70.13% (2,839)
No: 29.87% (1,209)

If revenue from this tax comes in as projected it will provide support for general City operations as well as for some capital improvements, including $2.5 million for replacement of an outdated and inadequate animal shelter.