2025 Renovations

GFAS Renovation Information

Exciting Changes Coming to the Great Falls Animal Shelter

The Great Falls Animal Shelter is thrilled to announce that the City Commissioners have approved a $129,688.35 contract for a renovation project, which will improve our facility for both animals and visitors.

Key Details of the Remodel:

  • Contractor: A&R Construction
  • Funding: The project is part of the larger State-Local Infrastructure Partnership Act (SLIPA) initiative.

Project Highlights:

  • Replacing the front door.
  • Remodeling the kitchenette area.
  • Cutting concrete and replacing plumbing lines.
  • Patching and repainting the entire floor and walls in the dog kennel area.

Timeline:

The remodel is set to begin in early February 2025 and is expected to be completed by April 2025.

Impact on Shelter Operations

To accommodate this exciting renovation, the shelter will temporarily close its doors to animals during our renovation in March. We are working hard to ensure all our furry friends find loving homes before the project begins.

How the Community Can Help:

  • Stray Animals: Only pick up a stray animal if you are able to care for it until the owner is found. Use resources such as Pawboost, Petco Love Lost, and the Facebook group “Great Falls Lost and Found Pets” to help reunite animals with their families more quickly.
  • Encourage Responsible Pet Ownership:
     •Ensure your pets have microchips and visible ID tags to make it easier to reunite them with you if they become lost. Tags and microchips are available at the shelter for a nominal fee.
     •Update your contact information associated with microchips and tags to ensure owners can be contacted without delay.
  • Spread the Word: Share our updates on social media to help inform others about these temporary changes.

Renovation Update:

Due to unexpected structural challenges discovered during renovations, the Great Falls Animal Shelter has temporarily relocated ahead of schedule. During excavation to address a critical sewer line obstruction, construction crews encountered embedded electrical wiring, necessitating an earlier move. The shelter is now operating at 2701 16th St. NE in Black Eagle.

This transition was made possible through the generous support of Chad Mans and Mans Rentals, who provided a new location at an exceptionally generous rate. Their commitment to animal welfare and quick action ensured shelter operations continued with minimal disruption.

At this time, the shelter is not accepting stray animals from the public, but Animal Control remains available at 406-455-8599.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will happen with the dogs that are not adopted during this event?

We are actively collaborating with shelters across the state to ensure all animals are housed safely and comfortably until our renovations are complete.

Category: Animal Shelter Renovations FAQ
Why isn’t the Great Falls Animal Shelter moving to a temporary location during the renovation project?

We understand the public's concern and want to assure you that we are actively exploring all options, including the possibility of a temporary relocation. However, there are several critical factors we must consider to ensure the well-being and safety of the animals in our care. These factors include, but are not limited to, adequate space, proper heating (the fairgrounds, for example, do not have adequate heating), quarantine areas, and the necessary equipment to ensure the safety of both the animals and staff.

Category: Animal Shelter Renovations FAQ
Will cat adoptions still be available?

Cat adoptions will continue as long as we are able to keep our building open. However, the shelter will need to close for a few weeks while painting and resurfacing are underway.

Category: Animal Shelter Renovations FAQ
What should we do if we encounter a sick or aggressive animal?

Please contact Animal Control immediately at 406-455-8492.

Category: Animal Shelter Renovations FAQ
Will the Great Falls Animal Shelter be accepting animals during the renovation?

During renovations, the Great Falls Animal Shelter will not be accepting stray intakes from the general public.

We are asking for the community's help during this time to ensure pets can return to their homes quickly and safely.

Many stray animals are beloved pets that have wandered just a few blocks from home. If you find a stray animal, we encourage you to stay in the area where the animal was found and take reasonable steps to reunite it with its owner. Here are some suggestions:

Check for identification tags.

Speak with neighbors who might recognize the animal.

Post in local lost-and-found pet groups on social media.

Look in the area for the owner, who may be actively searching for their pet.

Removing the animal from the area—whether by bringing it to the shelter or confining it in a car, home, or garage—can make it more difficult for the owner to locate their pet. Most lost pets are reunited quickly when they remain near their home, where their owners are likely searching.

By taking this community-minded approach, you can help pets return home safely, avoid unnecessary disruptions to their environment, and assist us in reducing the number of animals in the shelter during renovations.

Please note that while the shelter is temporarily unable to accept strays directly from the public, Animal Control remains available to assist with animals that are in danger, posing a risk to the public, or requiring immediate intervention.

 

Category: Animal Shelter Renovations FAQ
With the weather getting colder, why not wait for warmer weather?

We carefully considered the timing of the renovations to minimize disruptions and determined that moving forward during the colder months was the best option. Here’s why:

Animal Intake Trends: Based on intake data from the past several years, these months are traditionally the slowest for animal intakes. While no time is ideal for closing the shelter, spring brings an influx of kittens and puppies, and summer introduces heat-related challenges. Additionally, colder weather typically reduces the number of animals becoming stray, as fewer pets are left outdoors.

Grant Funding Timeline: The renovations are grant-funded, and we have a limited window to complete the work. Delaying the project could jeopardize our funding and the progress we’ve planned.

Efficiency of Operations: By scheduling all renovations to happen at once, we can complete the project in a single, focused effort. This approach avoids the need for multiple interruptions to our operations and ensures we can resume full functionality as quickly as possible.

Category: Animal Shelter Renovations FAQ

Web Links

  • Printer-friendly version