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Officials select contractor for kennel project aimed at easing crowding
Bastrop County is set to expand its animal shelter after county commissioners reviewed bids and selected a contractor for an additional kennel building that would add space for 33 additional dogs.
Commissioners chose Modern Renovations, Inc. (MRI Builders) following a competitive bid process, according to court documents. The proposal includes a $289,000 base bid to build out the new kennel facility, covering foundational work, structural installation and interior improvements designed to support expanded shelter operations. Wendy Ballard, Animal Services Coordinator, said the added space addresses long-standing capacity challenges.
The new kennel building at the Bastrop County Animal Shelter, located off Texas 95 next to Camp Swift, would become the facility’s fourth and add space for about 33 additional dogs, including a small designated area for smaller dogs. Photo by Dylan Roddy
“We are truly blessed to have the new kennel being built,” Ballard said. “We appreciate everyone who has donated towards it and supported our shelter.” The new structure would serve as the shelter’s fourth kennel building and is expected to serve as a boost for shelter operations as the county faces increasing demand. Intake numbers have risen while adoptions have slowed compared to previous years, according to Ballard.
“We haven’t really expanded in over 15 years,” Ballard said. “While the population has quadrupled or more, we have just sat in the same position. When the population quadruples, so does the population of animals.”
The shelter currently has 90 kennels, though not all are available at any given time because of quarantine and isolation needs. Ballard said the facility typically houses nearly 200 animals a day.
“We bring in around a dozen animals each and every day — we’re taking in more than we’re exiting in most cases,” she said.
Ballard called the kennel building a huge step forward and credited the community support for assisting the shelter and advocating for animals countywide.
“Volunteers and fosters truly help us save lives — we would not be able to do it without them,” Ballard said.
Construction is expected to begin soon, with the goal of having the building completed and operational by the end of 2026.
