PHOTO BY LISA CARNLEY A number of dogs and cats in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors are waiting for homes at the newly opened Lampasas Animal Shelter Lampasas unveiled its new animal shelter at grand-opening ceremonies Thursday at the College Street facility.

With a number of city and county officials and residents on hand, the building officially opened for adoptions, tours and refreshments.

Lampasas Animal Shelter, a collaboration between the city and county, provides a temporary home for stray and abandoned animals in the 6,600-square-foot facility. It features 58 dog runs and 17 cat kennels. More cat cages are soon to be delivered.

The initial budget was about $500,000, but it came in under cost.

Kasey Dressel is the shelter supervisor, and she said she is thrilled with the new facility and its amenities.

The former animal shelter consisted of six cages in a metal building, so the new facility offers an upgraded, updated method to handle animals, Mrs. Dressel said.

Mayor Judith Hetherly, who wielded the scissors for the ribboncutting ceremony, said she is pleased to see the city partnering with the county on the endeavor.

Officials from the county and city were on hand to officially mark the opening of the new Lampasas Animal Shelter on College Street. "This means a great deal to us, and we are thrilled to see it completed and open," she said.

With a recent hire, the shelter has expanded its hours. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon.

Animal adoptions and surrenders are accepted during regular hours, and the Lampasas Police Department and Lampasas County Sheriff's Department will handle after-hours calls as needed.

"If a dog is running the highway and is in danger, you can call the police or sheriff's office, but if you want to surrender an animal, it should be done during business hours," said Mrs. Dressel.

The Lampasas facility, while not built to hold animals for any great length of time, works to place dogs and cats in permanent, safe, loving homes.

Three Great Pyrenees are at the shelter waiting to be adopted. after their former owners were unable to care for them. Photos by Lisa Carnley Mrs. Dressel also ships animals to no-kill facilities each month and works with breed-specific animal rescue organizations. Recently, she had golden retriever, Great Pyrenees and pit bull rescue groups pick up animals.

"Our shelter gives people the opportunity to turn animals in to us if they can't take care of them, rather than dumping them," Mrs. Dressel said. "This gives them a second chance."

Volunteers are sought to foster pets, help clean cages, feed and walk animals, and provide general companionship for dogs and cats.

The shelter is in continuous need of animal bedding, blankets, towels, pet toys, cat litter, cages and crates.

For more information or to adopt an animal, phone 556-8586 or visit the city's Web site at www.cityoflampasas. com.

New software will enable potential adopters to see photos of each animal at www.petango.com/lampasasanimalshelter, and Mrs. Dressel said she hopes the site is up and running in about a month.