THE current facility is way short of what it should be and this financial year Cootamundra Shire Council will commence building a brand new animal pound.
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Animals are kept in mesh cages with corrugated iron kennels and there is little protection from the elements.
The aging facility, which was built some 40 years ago, has also been subjected to repeated acts of vandalism as people break in to steal back their dogs which have been impounded.
Because of this the wire has been patched in numerous places.
Security will be improved at the new pound with the facility to be built from coro mesh.
Cootamundra Police inspector Frank Brown praised the building of a new facility saying a more secure facility will deter break and enters.
There will be eight dog kennels in the new pound allowing up to 16 dogs to be housed at once as well as a cattery housing at least 12 cats in individual cages.
A carport will be built extending from the facility if it can be fit into the $120,000 budget allocated.
The pound will also be moved from its current location adjacent to the tip complex.
It will be built on the corner of Turners Lane and Gundagai Road meaning more people will be able to see what is happening within the complex.
Council compliance officer Glen McAtear said not only will the new facility be better for animals it will also benefit rangers who visit the facility.
When it rains the entire current complex turns into a bog and water runs freely through the cages.
One of the biggest advocates of a new pound and convenor of ‘Friends of Coota Pound’ Hannah Orr said the new facility will create a better experience for people visiting the pound to select a new pet.
“Infection control will be the big benefit of the new pound, the rangers here do the best with what they have but they can only do so much” Miss Orr said.
Last financial year alone, 192 dogs were collected by Cootamundra rangers and 130 of these were taken to the pound.
The previous year 173 dogs were picked up with 116 impounded.
The pound has been a long time coming budgeted for the 2014/15 year for many years.
It is expected work on the new facility will commence in summer and it will take around 12 to 14 weeks to complete.
