(KXAN Photo/Kelsey Thompson)
AUSTIN (KXAN) – The nonprofit Austin Pets Alive plans to take over “aging” buildings in downtown Austin and rebuild them with expanded facilities throughout Central Texas, the nonprofit says. announced on Monday.
The four-part, multi-year project comes as the 75-year-old building faces ongoing challenges, including flooding during winter and heat waves and temperature control issues. The new facility will address these issues and bring the building into compliance with the Austin Pets Alive! code. Dr. Ellen Jefferson, CEO and President, said:
Jefferson said the nonprofit wants to build one new, larger facility on the Town Lake property because the city and the nonprofit recently agreed to a 75-year lease. But the nonprofit says power line and underground sewer line limitations necessitate building a facility with a smaller footprint.
Instead, Austin Pets Alive plans to strip its complex and divide it into different buildings to accommodate its growing business. The nonprofit is rebuilding an adoption and foster care center on its Town Lake property and plans to build three more facilities throughout the Austin area.
These buildings include a veterinary hospital, transportation hub, and rehabilitation center for animals needing behavioral support. Renovations to the hospital have already begun, and APA hopes to open the building in July, pending donations of about $1.2 million.
Jefferson hopes the new facility will help APA reimagine its future as an animal shelter, including a foster-centered model with fewer caged animals.
“There's a lot of opportunity in front of us…We really want to take advantage of this opportunity to move out of Town Lake and think about what an animal shelter should look like and what the building will look like in the future.” It’s carving out what it should be,” she said.
One benefit of having multiple locations is expanded access for nonprofits, Jefferson said.
“Having activities in different parts of the city only widens the network of people who can save lives and open their homes, temporarily or permanently, to pets in need, which is a win-win. Everybody,” said Jefferson.
The nonprofit is seeking to raise a total of $45 million for the project and has already donated $10 million toward that goal.
A four-part project is underway, and a complete timeline of the project can be found on APA's campaign website. Donations to nonprofit facilities can be made online.
