The Town of Saugerties Animal Shelter (SAS) would like to take this chance to give the community an update on the plans for and construction of our new, modern, needs specific shelter. This project began 5 years ago, and due to things outside of our control, the project has taken than originally planned, as well as the cost substantially increasing.

We remain completely committed to making this new shelter a reality. First, many people don’t understand the basic shelter needs, or how our current building is not conducive to meeting the basic standards of care for an animal shelter, or the high level of care the staff and volunteers hold themselves to for the animals.

Our shelter has built a reputation based on quality care and adoptable animals. We serve our community in many ways, but also help all kinds of animals find their forever homes. The shelter is now located in a 2400 sq. ft retrofitted maintenance garage adjacent to the town recycling and transfer station. While the staff and volunteers continually go above and beyond, our ability to give this level of care to the animals in need that come through our door is made much more difficult because of the limitations of the current shelter.

The shelter is not in compliance with many Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) guidelines. The current conditions are substandard for both animals and staff. This includes poor air quality, porous surfaces, lack of temperature control, insufficient space and outdated equipment. This does not reflect the quality-of-care shelter staff and volunteers work so hard to provide and is not a naturally welcoming environment for adopters, those being reunited with lost pets and the community the shelter serves.

The new, 10,000 square foot shelter was designed by a dynamic team of professionals who spent over a year conducting site visits and consulting with shelter design experts to plan for a life-saving new facility that minimizes stress for the animals and provides a quality of life in which they are happy, healthy and adoptable. The team consisted of a Licensed Architect, Professional Engineer, Town of Saugerties officials, Shelter Staff as well as Community Activists.

The planned shelter will be located on a 40-acre parcel of rural land adjacent to the current shelter and retaining the same address. A multi acre portion has been cleared for the new building in this idyllic setting with surrounding wooded area. While this is a multi-acre area, the space we have to build on is limited, and has been taken into consideration in the design of the multi-function building. The new shelter will completely transform the organization’s identity, provide autonomy from the transfer station and demonstrate the highest standards of ASV recommended care. Access will be via a separate access road. This aligns with the shelters mission of care and service to the community.

How did we come up with these plans? The increased size was carefully determined to match demand for SAS’s services with community need along with the organization’s human and financial capacity. Data indicated a 59% increase in the number of dogs sheltered by SAS from 2016-2019. Local veterinary statistics suggest that roughly 20% of all companion animals living in this area have been placed by SAS.

Since Covid-19, SAS has increased intake and adoptions by 45%, transferring animals in from NYC (whose families were affected by Covid) and rescuing dogs and cats from high kill shelters in the southern US. At this rate, the demand for services far outpaces Saugerties’ capacity to provide necessary care.

The new shelter will provide safe, sanitary, humane facilities for approximately 60% more dogs and 35% more cats each year than is possible in our current location. This stays directly in line with community demand and has been strategically designed to carefully match the long-term need for shelter services with available resources. It includes interior and exterior spaces designed to significantly improve the quality of life for sheltered animals. This includes dog and cat areas separated to reduce stress, appropriate quarantine facilities, outdoor spaces as well as enrichment opportunities designed to meet each species unique health and behavioral needs.

Capital Campaign Committee

Saugerties Animal Shelter Capital Campaign Committee

Team Members