Dreaming of the new Knoxville - Knox County Animal Center

With your help... Dreams can come true!

Construction is underway on the new 22,000 square foot Knoxville - Knox County Animal Center at the entrance to John Tarleton Park. The Center will comfortably house 350 animals and represents an entirely new direction in animal sheltering in East Tennessee -- emphasizing community involvement, education and spay and neuter programs. All sheltering, medical treatment, kenneling, administration, education and Knox County Animal Control activities will be "under one roof." In addition, the center will include cat colonies, "real-life" rooms for dogs, fenced dog yards, space for exotics and small and large farm animals, and a community room. The facility is thoughtfully designed to encourage human/animal interaction, ensure the comfort of the animals and invite the public to learn more about animal care and welfare. Our dedicated staff will offer fun and exciting community programs for adults and children. Our goal is to end animal suffering in our area.

Mark Williams, Chairman of the Center's Board of Directors, explains, "Our dream of developing the premier animal facility in Tennessee will soon be a reality. To ensure that we build a Center which meets our goal of exemplary care of our animals, we will be soliciting private donations to fund public interaction and educational spaces within the $3.7 million full-service facility."

The Public Building Authority, Barge Waggoner Sumner and Cannon, Inc., Gates Hafen and Cochrane Architects and Rentenbach Constructors are managing the design and construction of the new center.

Animal welfare is a very important community value. Here is an opportunity to make a big difference in the lives of animals in our area and literally save lives. Please! Support the new Center, with a donation today.

We invite you to visit our current temporary facility to witness the care and dedication show to the cats, dogs, birds, bunnies, farm animals and other creatures who through no fault of their own have found themselves homeless and in need of love and attention. Even in this small temporary space, our staff is committed to doing everything possible to place animals with responsible, loving owners -- finding "a home for every heart!"

Please help this dream come true.

Board of Directors

Mark Williams, Chair
Carmen Trammell, Vice Chair
Mike McClamroch, Treasurer
Trent Ferrell, Secretary
Sandie Bishop
Jane Bolus
Dr. Lisa Chassy
Commissioner Ivan Harmon
Dr. Joseph Kendrick
Kym Hand Lightholder
Lindsay Young

Executive Director

Randy Keplinger

Features of the New Facility

NAMING OPPORTUNITIES Engraved plaques listing the name of the donor will be placed in a prominent position near the donated gift.

COMMUNITY ROOM The main room of the Center will be used for community outreach programs, training sessions, volunteer work and meetings of rescue organizations who are the Center's Pet Placement Partners. donation: $30,000

RECEPTION AREA The first thing visitors will see as they enter the Center is a large reception area and a desk of dramatic design reaching to the vaulted ceiling constructed of all natural materials and enhanced with bas-reliefs of animals. donation: $20,000

LANDSCAPED GARDENS The front of the Center will be surrounded with trees, shrubs and landscaped gardens featuring plans indigenous to East Tennessee. donation: $7,500

REAL LIFE ROOMS Six of these unique rooms allow adult dogs to be placed in a more homelike setting. Potential owners can sit in a comfortable environment to meet an animal. The rooms result in less stress to the animals and a higher adoption rate. donation: $5,000 per room

FEATURED DOG DISPLAY The featured dog display will be located in a prominent position in the Center's lobby where all visitors can see the featured dog. Other centers with similar displays have experienced a 90-98% adoption rate of the featured dog. donation: $5,000

GET-ACQUAINTED ROOMS Visitors who find a dog in which they are interested can sit down in one of two get acquainted rooms to get to know the dog in a safe place. The rooms will accommodate the entire family. donation: $4,000 per room

FEATURED CAT COLONY Two colonies with play structures are designed to accommodate 6 to 7 cats per room. The cats can interact climbing and playing on the structure. The colonies, which will be the first thing the public sees as they enter the lobby, attract people to watch the animals. donation: $5,000 per colony

SPECIAL CRITTERS ROOM This room, which will include equipment, is designed to accommodate a variety of animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, reptiles, birds, and hamsters. It will be the first room the public sees as they walk through the adoption door. donation: $5,000

BENCHES Five benches constructed of faux stone with concrete seats will line the lobby of the new Center and provide the public with a place to relax. Benches will also be located in the gardens of the Center grounds. donation: $2,500 per bench

KENNEL RUNS Twenty-five unique runs will be constructed of ceramic tile with stainless steel doors and lighting. donation: $1,000 per run

FLAGPOLE In front of the Center a lighted flagpole will fly the American and Tennessee flags. donation: $2,000

Other sponsorships are available on inquiry. For more information about naming opportunities or making a donation toward the new animal shelter building, please call Karen Lively at 865-215-6597 or email her at klively@knoxpets.org.