Things are improving at the Texarkana Animal Care and Adoption Center thanks to generosity from the community.
Last week it was reported that shelter Director Charles Lokey no longer wanted to use the downstairs area because of broken air conditioning and the overall disrepair of the area. In the past, it had been used as overflow when too many unwanted pets were dropped off at the shelter.
Aloha Aire fixed the air conditioning and other local businesses have offered to fix issues including holes in the walls, hanging insulation and more.
"Aloha Aire came out and fixed the air and got it working," Lokey said. "What all they did I don't know but they were here for a pretty good while and got the air going and it's working good. They donated the time and parts. They donated everything."
"It's helped dramatically. I don't have animals sitting there suffering and panting, and it's been better for employees. We're able to work and clean. I'm not carrying people up from heat exhaustion," Lokey said.
"We've had a lot of different folks, different construction groups come in and say they can fix this or that," he added.
The downstairs portion of the shelter is older than the front part of the building. With the coming improvements it will add space for 25 to 35 animals.
"We're working on getting this fixed and we're going to get it fixed. A lot of people have stepped up. I'm extremely happy and surprised and very grateful," Lokey said. "I just appreciate all the help, all the people coming out and helping me with this situation and we're moving forward."
There are also two cat rooms in the downstairs portion and Lokey is trying to renovate one of those.
There is more that needs to be done.
"The next thing we're looking at is an expansion. Let's get this fixed now. It will give me a whole lot of breathing room but we still have to expand," Lokey said.
Lokey said there's room at the shelter's location to expand.
"We could expand onto the existing facility," Lokey said.
Community awareness of the space issues facing the shelter had another benefit.
"We had a phenomenal number of adoptions and animals pulled by rescue groups (last week)," Lokey said.
No matter how much space is available at the shelter, the problem of unwanted pets won't improve without help from the community.
"Spay and neuter your pets. We don't need unwanted pets. We're overrun with unwanted pets so please spay and neuter and be responsible with your animals," Lokey said.
For more information about the animal shelter or volunteering, call 870-773-6388, ext. 3.