Valley Center looking at a possible animal shelter

December 13, 2010|By Megan Strader | KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

(VALLEY CENTER, Kan.) — Stacy Miles has always called herself a dog lover, but now she also calls herself the owner of the Wag'en Tail Ranch Boarding facility and President of the Valley Center Animal League - formed last year after the city's animal shelter had to close.

"I think its just a matter of convenience for the citizens of Valley Center that we can continue to have a place in Valley Center so they can get their dogs picked up as soon as possible."

Since the shelter's closure, Miles has allowed the city to bring strays and lost dogs to her facility, if she has space, otherwise, they have to go to Wichita.

But that could change soon. A veterinarian is looking at buying an old doctors office in Valley Center and working with city to start a clinic/shelter.

"We think the price-tag on a remodel would be about $40,000, so it's a significant savings from building a shelter. Plus, we have a professional staff on site to tend to the needs of the animals if they are injured or in need of medical care," explains Valley Center City Administrator Joel Pile.

He says a lot of work still has to be done before anything becomes official. But if everything goes well, the city could have a new animal shelter by next summer.

Something Miles and the other members of the Valley Center Animal League have been working hard to make happen.

"We're already an animal friendly city and we're just trying to take it that next step."

The Valley Center Animal League has already set up an email system to alert people when a lost dog is turned in. You can email info@vcanimalleague.com to sign up for the alerts.

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