The Lampasas Animal Shelter on College Street is open, and Kasey Dressel, shelter supervisor, said she already has accepted a number of animals.

With the opening of the new shelter, all other facilities in the county that temporarily housed stray and abandoned animals are closed, she said.

The animal shelter is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with after-hours calls handled by the Lampasas Police Department and Lampasas County Sheriff's Department.

Mrs. Dressel said she hopes to increase hours of operation later in the fall with the hiring of another employee.

The 6,600-square-foot facility has 58 dog runs, two quarantine pens and six isolation cages.

The shelter passed a recent state inspection with flying colors, Mrs. Dressel said, and she believes it will serve as a model for other counties.

She noted a number of animals are ready to be adopted, and several community members have offered to volunteer in a variety of ways.

Mrs. Dressel said she also appreciated the response to a recent request for towels. The shelter is in need of animal bedding, blankets, pet toys, cat litter, cages and crates.

An open house is planned for Oct. 15 with tours of the facility and an adoption fair.

For more information, phone 556-8586.