RENSSELAER, N.Y. (NEWS10) — A temporary city dog shelter will be opening in Rensselaer on Tuesday, Mayor Mike Stammel announced. The facility is planned to begin operating at 1 p.m.
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The city said the shelter will serve as a temporary — specifically, overnight or a couple of days — home for seized dogs while they wait to be reunited with their owner or placed with an adoption or rescue organization. The facility is equipped with four dog kennels and will be located at the rear of the Rensselaer Police Department building.
“This is an important milestone for our city,” Stammel said. “Opening the dog shelter reflects our commitment to public safety, responsible animal care and compassion for animals in need.”
Development of the shelter began in July, when Rensselaer Common Council members voted in favor of police station kennels after a contract fallout with the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society. The mayor told NEWS10 on Monday that the city has previously had to keep seized dogs in jail cells due to the lack of designated space.
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In October, the police department said they ordered a prefabricated building and were beginning site preparations. Stammel emphasized that the new shelter will follow all applicable state and local regulations, with a focus on each dog’s health and wellbeing.
“This is the right thing to do,” Stammel said…