March Move-In Date Forecast for New Bristol Animal Shelter

Dogs and cats could be moved into the new Bristol Animal Shelter being constructed right behind the old shelter on Minturn Farm Road by around March 1.

John Lannan, the coordinator of construction for the capital project committee for the animal shelter, forecast that move-in date at another meeting of the committee late Thursday afternoon.

"I think we're on course now," said Bristol Police Chief Josue Canario, who chairs the animal shelter committee. "It was supposed to be a seven-month project."

A significant amount of work remains to be done on the shelter, which broke ground last June, said Lannan, such the creation of a drainage system for the dog runs outside the building. That will require getting some type of approval from the RI Department of Environmental Management.

Lannan said the discharge of water and waste materials for the outside runs needs to be determined. It wasn't built into the original design of the facility.

Diane Williamson, Bristol community development director, suggested a solution that might not add too much additional cost to the $2 million project. Lannan said he would take her suggestion to the DEM.

The new shelter will be a massive improvement for the animals and humans that work there. It will include an education center and meeting rooms for use by any town board or committee.