Animal Shelter Kennels Reopened to the Public

SAN ANGELO, TX -- The Animal Shelter is opening its general population kennels to visitors, effective immediately, as part of its new Pets Alive! initiative.

According to a press release from San Angelo Communications Director Anthony Wilson, the kennels were closed after uncontrolled access led to ill dogs. American Pets Alive! recommended reopening them to harness public support and increase adoptions. Morgan Chegwidden, who manages the shelter, said improved cleaning protocols will ensure the animals’ health in a more open environment.

The mission of Pets Alive! is to “urgently save the lives of companion animals from unnecessary deaths in shelters.” It does so by helping transform shelters using protocols, programs and tools proven to work in the nation’s largest no-kill shelter in Austin.

San Angelo’s shelter has adopted a goal of becoming a no-kill facility. Its kill rate has been reduced to 51 percent, its lowest ever.

Chegwidden said the Pets Alive! initiative is also aiming to increase volunteers and advocates. Opening the kennels should aid in those efforts, she said, adding that “more changes are sure to come.”

Located at 3142 U.S. Highway 67N, the shelter is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays. Adoptable animals can be viewed at petango.com/sanangeloanimalservices. Most adoptions cost $85 for a dog and $50 for a cat. That includes the pet, a rabies vaccine, and the animal being spayed/neutered and microchipped.