FAULKNER COUNTY, Ark. — Faulkner County officials announced that construction on a long-awaited new animal shelter is now underway at 597 US-65 in Greenbrier.
The project was made possible with support from the county's volunteer tax dollars and is projected to open in approximately 180 days.
“The shelter has been a difficult endeavor to take on, and the need for a paradigm shift was necessary for progress to move forward. Creating a business model that is sustainable, while successfully integrating that model with public safety and animal welfare, has been the objective. The people of Faulkner County have needed assistance with animal welfare issues for a long time, and the journey has been, and will continue to be, a slow learning process. This endeavor is progress over perfection, and I expect the shelter to walk before it can run, which may mean opening in phases. Importantly, the Faulkner County Judge’s Office and Quorum Court have worked together to create an animal welfare unit that supports the people of our county without raising taxes for our residents," stated JP Maree Coats, a longtime supporter of the project and sponsor of the legislation within Faulkner County Quorum Court stated,
After years of complaints by residents about stray or vicious animals in the area, the Faulkner County Quorum Court allocated funding for the project to begin in February 2024.
Faulkner County Administrator Randy Higgins will serve as the liaison between the Faulkner County Judge’s Office and Sowell Architects, the company responsible for overseeing the shelter's construction.
“I am pleased to see the efforts of so many advocates of the animal shelter come to fruition. I believe this project will provide our law enforcement officers with a vital tool needed to address the dangers of vicious dog concerns within our county," Higgins said. “After many years of planning, I am excited to be an integral part in bringing this project to fruition for the citizens of Faulkner County.”
Once construction is complete, the public will be invited to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“The Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office is pleased at the progress taken toward the new animal shelter. We look forward to the opening of the shelter, at which time, we will be better able to assist the citizens of Faulkner County in public safety, animal control, and animal welfare needs. We believe this shelter will provide a much-needed and long-sought-after resource for our citizens," stated Faulkner County Sheriff Tim Ryals.
