AV animals movin' on up

APPLE VALLEY • The town’s current animal shelter is preparing to shut down after five years, to make way for the grand opening of one that’s nearly five times the size.

After rates with the Victor Valley Animal Protective League went up, Apple Valley purchased a private home, used recycled furniture from town offices and the old council dais for counter space to open its first shelter for less than $200,000 in 2005.

That shelter, at 13643 Tonikan Road, will close permanently at 4 p.m. on April 2, and the building will be demolished.

The town’s first purpose-built shelter will open at 9 a.m. on April 6 at 22131 Powhatan Road, at the southeast corner of Powhatan and Quinnault roads. That shelter cost roughly $8 million to complete.

While the new site has capacity for the next 20 years, town spokeswoman Sierra Webb said they don’t expect the number of animals to jump overnight.

To read the full story, see Wednesday's Daily Press. To subscribe to the Daily Press in print or online, call (760) 241-7755 or click here.

Though the new shelter will be up and running April 6, the official grand opening is scheduled for April 17.

For more information call (760) 240-7000 ext. 7555.

Brooke Edwards may be reached at (760) 955-5358 or at bedwards@VVDailyPress.com.