The groundbreaking kick-off for the Mesquite Animal Shelter expansion was held Monday morning, May 5.

A good-sized crowd gathered for the event.

Travis Anderson, Public Works director, displayed a small wooden model of the finished project. He spoke highly of the contracting company and its staff, and introduced the other speakers.

Councilperson Patti Gallo was very excited. This is her pet (no pun intended) project. Gallo thanked all those who have been very helpful. She named Wes Boger, former mayor Al Litman, former police chief MaQuade Chesley, Joe Macias and Randy Travis and his team. Volunteer Joanne Migliozzi was also very helpful.

Mayor Jesse Whipple said, “All I have done for this project is sign a piece of paper. It is all the other people that Patti mentioned who put in the time and effort for this project. Our shelter has won the National Award for Best Animal Shelter in the nation. With this expansion, we may be able to keep that title.”

Travis said contractor SHF International will begin in two weeks and estimates 300 days to finish. Architect company Aptus won an award for the design of the new shelter.

Gallo said, “The expansion is very much needed. We don’t turn any animals away, and we need more space. The expansion will give us a separate medical room and more indoor/outdoor cages, a place to segregate sick animals. With more space we can hire more employees that we really need. Our staff and our volunteers work very hard here. We keep a really clean shelter.”

There were 12 golden shovels for 12 people from the project, all lined up to shovel the first symbolic dirt. City employee Nancy Hewett set up a treat buffet, some for humans and some for their furry friends who came to the event. The table was complete with a donkey piñata in honor of Cinco de Mayo.