See inside Tri-Cities long-awaited $6M animal shelter. Grand opening, tours set
The Tri-Cities’ newest animal shelter is almost ready for its first four-legged occupants.
But first, officials will cut the ribbon at a grand opening for the $6 million shelter at 1 p.m., Feb. 4, at 1311 S. 18th Ave., Pasco.
Public tours will be offered.
However, no animals will be on hand, other than Dee Dee, a basset hound who serves as its mascot.
The new building reflects more than 10 years of work to replace the current 1950s era headquarters for Tri-Cities Animal Control and its associated shelter.
The aging, dark and damp building is unhealthy for all its occupants owing to failing utility lines, an aging electrical system, poor ventilation and a design that encouraged rodents to live within the walls.
The new building comes with a new identity for the operation: Tri-Cities Animal Services.
It is a cooperative effort between the cities of Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, with Pasco serving as the lead.
The cities agreed in 2016 to cooperate on building a new shelter and to share the cost. The project was supposed to begin in 2018. But officials reconsidered the size and design, setting off a series of delays that were complicated by protests over the design and changes in managers.
At one point, a nonprofit operating the shelter, Neo’s Nation, had to be removed amid the discovery animals in its care were allegedly being neglected. The Benton-Franklin Humane Society took over the shelter temporarily, before the city stepped in.
Each of the cities provided $2 million for the new building. Construction finally began in late 2022, near the existing facility.
The 9,600-square-foot building has 77 dog kennels and 26 cat condos that can serve a total of 52 felines. There are four fenced outdoor areas for dogs as well as a meet-and-greet area for visitors to interact with prospective pets.
The shelter has an exam room as well as easy access to the Columbia River trail system, where staff and volunteers walk dogs in the shelter’s care.
G2 Commercial Construction is the contractor for the project.
Go to Tri-Cities Animal Services.
This story was originally published January 31, 2025 at 11:52 AM.