GOLDEN — The dream of a new Table Mountain Animal Center moved closer to reality Wednesday when plans were announced to build a facility at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.
“This will be a home away from home” for the 10,000 wayward or abandoned dogs and cats that the metro area’s second-largest animal-care organization handles each year, said Nick Fisher, TMAC’s executive director.
The new 30,000-square-foot full-service center will provide better adoption facilities, Fisher said, as well as community programs such as dog rehabilitation, training, pet owner education and veterinary care.
The facility will replace the aging 13,000-square-foot facility near the intersection of Colorado 58 and Interstate 70.
It was built in 1976 and has a “dog pound” flavor, Fisher said.
Ground hopefully will be broken in January, said county Commissioner Kevin McCasky, with the center operational a year later.
To get the ball rolling, Jefferson County will contribute $3 million from the general fund and provide 3 acres of land with a 50-year lease.
Officials of the county’s cities have agreed to chip in $3 million in fees from the year-old countywide dog-licensing program to boost the building effort.
The remainder — up to an additional $3 million — will be raised by the TMAC Foundation.
Judy George, president of the foundation, said she anticipates making “an exciting announcement” about fundraising by the end of the year.
Ann Schrader: 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com
