Moving day at Tri-Cities animal shelter for 120+ adoptable dogs, cats. See their new digs
Tails wagging and tongues out, it was finally moving day for around 80 dogs at Tri-Cities Animal Services in Pasco.
The dogs — along with 30 cats and kittens — have moved into the newly opened, $6 million facility.
The new 9,600-square-foot shelter sits on 2.5 acres at 1311 S. 18th Ave., just a few yards away from the former facility. It represents more than 10 years of work to replace three aging structures, one of them dating from the 1950s.
The building opened on Feb. 4, but after a delay receiving several new indoor kennels, city staff paused the move, and dogs and cats stayed at the former shelter for about seven more weeks.
On March 24, volunteers and staff paraded dogs across the street as part of their regular morning walks, and settled them into shiny, clean kennels.
Cats moved over the weekend, including Pampers, a new momma cat with her three kittens.
New building
Animal services manager Ben Zigan told the Tri-City Herald that capacity remains the biggest challenge at Tri-Cities Animal Services. The shelter is full or close to full throughout the year.
The new site holds up to 77 dogs and 55 cats. The former shelter had room for 70 dog kennels and 65 spots for cats.
The new facility isn’t significantly larger, but modern improvements are aimed at increasing the quality of life for animals, and providing staff and volunteers access to better resources to serve them.
Zigan said the facility has improved ventilation, natural lighting and noise control, plus a more convenient bath station, larger laundry machines, sink area and dishwashers.
It also has four fenced outdoor areas for dogs. The location will allow volunteers to continue to take advantage of the existing trail system when they walk the animals.
Next steps
It will still take some time to finish the move — veterinary staff is setting up a new surgery room for spays, neuters and other operations, and volunteers are helping staff move and store office supplies and donations. There still are animals to transfer, including around four cats with upper respiratory infections or ringworm, and puppies who’ve been in temporary quarantine for parvovirus.
There are 22 employees and around 30 volunteers.
Future plans include expanding the Tri-Cities Animal Services volunteer program and partnering with local growers looking to reduce pests as a way to find a home for some of the shelter’s cats.
Tri-Cities Animal Services is a joint effort of the cities of Pasco, Kennewick and Richland working together as the the public agency whose primary job is to implement and provide animal control and services at the shelter. The city of Pasco leads operations.
The shelter is open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Information about adoption and fostering is available at tricitiesanimalservices.com.
This story was originally published March 25, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
