Photo from petition for new animal shelter via Corey Stewart for Chairman.Corey Stewart (R), Prince William County Supervisors' Chairman At-large, directed county staff to create a detailed proposal that would look into building a new Prince William Animal Shelter using FY2015 savings.
“When was constructed our county was a lot smaller than it is today. Anyone who has visited the shelter, you know that it is absolutely needed, and we have got to do something about the situation,” Stewart said, adding that the shelter does provide excellent service, “but it’s a critical unmet need here in Prince William County that must be addressed.”
Stewart said he believes the county could afford to spend roughly $10-12 million on building a new shelter from FY2015 without affecting the county’s AAA bond rating. However, it would be best to wait until after the December audit.
Nonetheless, he is directing county staff to act swiftly, creating a proposal that the supervisors could then discuss and debate, and then a new shelter could be built “outright.”
The Prince William animal shelter is coming upon its 40th anniversary. Stewart jokingly said that is young for a person, but “old for an animal shelter.” He also described it as “definitely overcrowded.”
Stewart said a new animal shelter would be beneficial to the animals awaiting adoption, the shelter’s staff and the residents who use the facility.
He noted that Brentsville Supervisor Jeanine Lawson (R) took an interest in the animal shelter and had recently visited the facility, which is located at the intersection of Bristow Road and Dumfries Road.
Stewart’s directive is a response to a citizen movement. Over the summer, citizens have been attending the Board of County Supervisors meetings and speaking during citizens' time, requesting that a new animal shelter be built.
There is a petition to create a new animal shelter on Corey Stewart’s campaign web page for reelection as chairman at-large for the Prince William Board of County Supervisors.
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