Every dog has its day, and for Luke and the pack, that day came a few weeks ago. The shepherd mix was dropped off at the El Cajon Animal Shelter, burying days of abuse and neglect like a bone.
RELATED: No ‘Easy Answer’ To Growing Number Of Stray Dogs In The U.S., Advocate Says
Now he’s one of many in a parade of dogs moving on up, being transferred from the old El Cajon Animal Shelter to a new $10 million facility just a block away.
Director of Public Works Dirk Epperson said the new facility was built to replace the aging shelter and paid for by Proposition O, which used a half-cent sales tax over the last decade to pay for new construction on aging city facilities. The new animal shelter will service the cities of El Cajon and La Mesa.
RELATED: San Diego City Council Approves Animal Services Contract With Humane Society
“It started about five years ago with the design and trying to get together all of the requirements it would take to build a state-of-the-art facility like this one,” said Epperson.
It's not just playful dogs like Luke in the state-of-the-art facility. Curious cats receive medical examinations, spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations and microchips, along with lots of love and attention.
Epperson said the facility lets employees "take care of these animals in a whole new way."
RELATED: Mobile Clinic To Bring Veterinary Care To Pets of Homeless
The no-kill shelter even has a grooming salon to pamper each pet.
But even in the fanciest facility, you can see some of their eyes are sad. Luke’s are a little anxious. Behind each glance is a story and behind every inquisitive head tilt is hope of living the next chapter of life in a loving, forever home.
Adoption for the pets is around $80 and includes spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations and a microchip.
