Tallahassee Animal Service Center delays renovations, allowing more time to find homes for dogs

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - Renovations to the Tallahassee Animal Service Center will not begin until October 28, giving the shelter more time to find homes for dogs.

The $4 million renovations will majorly upgrade for the shelter, though the facility will have less room for animals while the renovations are taking place.

During the 9 to 12 months of construction, the shelter will have significantly reduced capacity. Right now, the shelter houses 50 kennels, some with more than one dog per space. When construction starts, the shelter will have about 37 outdoor kennels for temporary use.

Leon County Commissioner David O'Keefe said a joint city-county board could chip in more money to build more temporary kennels.

"I think that there's such a risk to what is an already overcrowded shelter that more dogs won't make it out because there's not room for them," O'Keefe said.

The City of Tallahassee announced the renovation delays to its foster families in an email Friday.

He said the delay will give more time for dogs to be fostered or adopted before the capacity reduction sets in.

Tune in to Eyewitness News at 5 and 6 p.m. for the full story. This will also be updated this evening with all the details.