City Celebrates Topping Out of New Animal Services Shelter

City Celebrates Topping Out of New Animal Services Shelter

10/2/2025

The City of Tulsa, community leaders, and project partners gathered today to celebrate the topping out of the new Tulsa Animal Services Shelter - a ceremony marking the placement of the facility's final steel beam.

Located at 5995 E. 36th St. N., the $13.8 million project was made possible through funding approved by Tulsa voters. The new shelter represents a major step forward in the City's commitment to public safety, animal welfare, and the well-being of Tulsa's neighborhoods.

When complete, the shelter will feature:

•      An expanded veterinary clinic and surgery center
•      Dedicated isolation rooms
•      Modern, welcoming adoption spaces
•      Outdoor areas for exercise and enrichment
•      More than 300 kennels for dogs, cats, and other animals in need

Remarks from City and Project Leaders

Mayor Monroe Nichols
"Today's ceremony is more than a construction milestone; it's a promise to Tulsa's families and to every animal who will one day find safety and care inside these walls. This facility is an investment in compassion, in public safety, and in building a city where every life is valued and every neighborhood has the opportunity to thrive. I'm thankful for the incredible staff at Tulsa Animal Services, Timberlake Construction for their hard work, and the entire community for helping build the solutions that Tulsans and our animals deserve."

Laura Bellis, District 4 City Councilor
"In working alongside my colleagues on the Animal Welfare Working Group, we understand how important a facility like this is to our city. Our current facility simply does not meet our needs, and it doesn't live up to the standards we have for animals within our care. This new shelter will give us the space, the tools, and the environment to care for our animals with the dignity they deserve - and it will strengthen all of Tulsa's neighborhoods by supporting responsible ownership. I'm grateful for the progress being made on our new shelter, and I look forward to the new opportunities and care it will provide."

Sherri Carrier, Director of Tulsa Animal Services
"My team has worked tirelessly in a decades-old facility that no longer meets the needs of our community. Watching this new building take shape is both exciting and emotional. It represents safer spaces, stronger veterinary care, and brighter adoption opportunities. But we're not done yet. Through our Progress for Paws campaign, we still need to raise a little over $3 million. Every dollar brings us closer to giving Tulsa the lifesaving shelter our animals deserve, and we're asking our community to support us."

Zack Musgraves, Vice President, Timberlake Construction
"As builders, we are honored to help create a shelter designed to save lives and strengthen community connections. From expanded medical facilities to brighter adoption areas, every detail is being carefully crafted. This project is a testament to what we can achieve together."

Funding and Community Support
The shelter is a $13.8 million investment approved by Tulsa voters, with additional support needed to raise funds for additional features at the new shelter, including expanded kennel space, a secure animal intake, and an on-site generator for continuous animal care. In partnership with the Tulsa Community Foundation, Tulsa Animal Services has launched the Progress for Paws capital campaign to raise the remaining $3.3 million needed.

To date, the campaign has secured approximately $350,000 toward that goal.

Updates & More Information

The new facility will replace the current shelter at 3031 N. Erie Ave. Construction is expected to be complete by Fall 2026, with a grand opening to follow.

For more information about Tulsa Animal Services, shelter programs, and the Progress for Paws campaign, visit: www.cityoftulsa.org/TAS.