Ames is working to relocate the city’s animal shelter and Ames Animal Control Supervisor Ron Edwards is welcoming the change. 

“This building has been here for about 30 years,” Edwards said. “It’s time for it to move on.” 

As a result of space concerns, staff members and local volunteers are feeling the strain, and finding a solution has become more pressing. 

The shelter is funded through general city funds and donations, with the relocation and renovation supported by a combination of both.

This is undoubtedly a much-needed change of scenery. Edwards is looking forward to the fresh start and the positive impact it will have on the staff and the animals.

Space is the biggest issue at the current location and the shelter does not have space for every animal during “peak periods,” according to Edwards.

The shelter currently houses guinea pigs in the hallways due to inadequate space to provide them with a private area, which the Daily reported on in 2023.

There have also been instances of people abandoning their animals when they no longer wish to care for them. 

“If you want an animal fix, come volunteer, then you don’t have to worry about what will happen when you move out,” Edwards said.

When searching for a new location, one key factor was visibility–an area that is easily seen and accessible.

“We want people to know about our facility,” Edwards said. 

The shelter is set to relocate to 2715 Dayton Avenue in Ames, the former site of a childcare center. 

“We’ll have a lot more property than we have here, so it gives us that ability to grow as the community continues to grow,” Edwards said.

The Ames City Council will vote on the property purchase at its meeting on Feb. 18.

“We’ve worked with an architectural team that has said, ‘Yes, this will work,’” Edwards said. “We are going to be able to provide all the amenities that we think that we need for the new facility.”

Distracted driving is another frequent hazard that Bargfrede has seen. These conditions demand constant attention on the road, causing accidents when distracted.

Nancy Gebhart, a dedicated volunteer at the Ames Animal Shelter, has been helping care for animals and assisting with chores alongside her daughter for around eight years. She sees the relocation as “really kind of a perfect fit.”

“The excitement and the possibilities are overshadowing any challenges or conflicts if they are there,” Gebhart said.

The staff is attempting to make it a simple transition.

“Everything is already pretty well, you know, organized and set up to function in the current animal shelter,” she said. “It’s a lot more conversation and just really deep thinking about how best to set up the new space.”

“[The staff] are such full-hearted, generous people who care deeply about animals [and] who care deeply about our community,” Gebhart added. 

Resources

The relocation of the Ames Animal Shelter marks an exciting new chapter, offering more space and resources to better serve the community. For more information, refer to the attached links.