The current facility, constructed in the 1970's, is too small to accommodate the thousands of animals that pass through each year. Stanislaus County's director of animal services Annette Patton says the new thirty-three thousand square foot facility will give it's residents some breathing room.

"We can put one animal per cage. where here in our old facility we have anywhere, anytime ten animals per cage."

The new shelter will include a low-cost spay and neuter component that is expected to reduce the county's burgeoning cat population. The $8 million facility is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The cost will be covered by a tax on tobacco products and the cities that send animals to the shelter.