Animal Care Services (ACS) in Corpus Christi is about to receive a much-needed boost as it awaits the results of a grant application through the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). If awarded, the grant will provide essential funding to repair and upgrade critical areas within the animal care facility.
Focus on Facility Maintenance and Upgrades
Kathleen Chapa, Director of CCACS, explained the importance of this grant, highlighting that certain parts of their facility have deteriorated over time. As with any aging infrastructure, some areas urgently need repair to maintain proper care for the animals housed there.
Chapa pointed out that the grant would primarily target repairs in two of the five buildings. “Like with any older facility, we have portions and things that are deteriorating. To keep up with maintenance, there are a couple throughout some of the buildings. Right now, we’re going to be focused on Building 3 and our quarantine building,” she said. The damaged kennel partitions in these buildings have become a priority, and the funding from the ASPCA grant would go a long way in ensuring these areas are returned to proper condition.
The city’s cattery building, which also shelters cats, is another area under review. Though the air conditioning system is still functional, it is due for an upgrade. “It is working. We’re working with facility management and maintenance crews, which are fantastic. It will need to be upgraded or replaced soon, so that’s what we’re doing,” Chapa explained.
A Contingency Plan in Place
This is the first time Animal Care Services has applied for the ASPCA grant, and they hope the funding will be approved. However, the team is prepared for any outcome. When asked what would happen if the grant is not awarded, Chapa assured that the department has contingency plans.
“We will be working with facilities and our budget to see what we can do. Is there money budgeted in the scenario that the grant money isn’t awarded? We have money in our budget to move around and see what we can do. So either way, we will keep our facility up to date,” Chapa said.
Community Support and Anticipation
The potential impact of this grant extends beyond the CCACS team. Connie Baird, a dedicated volunteer at Star Rescue Group & Clinic, expressed her excitement about the possibility of the funding being approved. “I think that any money that is given to animal control, whether it’s from a grant, the budget, or from the citizens, would have a huge impact for them. They could use every penny they ask for.”
CCACS hopes to learn if they have secured the grant as early as December. The grant will allow the department to carry out these crucial upgrades, ultimately benefiting the animals and the community.