Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, October 22, 1993 TAG: 9310220247
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KAREN BARNES STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BEDFORD LENGTH: Short
Almost 50 dogs have been housed at one time in the shelter, originally designed to hold fewer than half that number.
"The old one is just too small," said County Administrator William Rolfe. "It's 30 years old and the materials used don't comply with state regulations.
That's why for several years, the current facility just outside city limits on Link Road has failed state inspections.
Now the county has advertised for bids for a new shelter. Rolfe said he expects county supervisors to award a contract Nov. 22.
Groundbreaking could occur the first week of December and construction would take three to four months, he said.
The new animal shelter will handle 80 dogs, 25 puppies and 25 cats - four times the capacity of the old shelter. It will be on a hill right next door.
Vincent Brads, a Bedford County animal warden, said the shelter handles as many as 140 dogs and nearly 125 cats a month. The facility has only eight pens for dogs, but the new building will have 40 runs, he said.
Animals are kept for nine days, and if they aren't adopted, they're put to death.
by CNB