Othello to begin construction of city's first animal shelter

OTHELLO — Construction of an Othello Animal Shelter will start with the fence. Othello City Council members awarded a $68,600 contract to Cortez Fencing, Moses Lake, at the regular council meeting Monday. 

“That work will be starting here shortly,” said Othello Mayor Ken Johnson. 

City Engineer Robin Adolphsen said some of the work has already started. The original bid, she said, included installation of septic system, water system and electrical connections. 

“When we started doing the engineer estimate, hiring someone to install a sewer and water service was going to send the bill much higher," Adolphsen said. "I talked to my public works guys, and they agreed they can install the service for both. We’re making sure the connections from outside the fence to inside the fence are done before the fence goes up. That’s already underway.” 

At this point, the goal is to reduce construction time, she said. 

“My guys are already working on getting quotes for all the (materials)," she said. "We already have the valves. We just want to coordinate it so all the construction is happening at the same time." 

The shelter will be located on Lee Road, on property the city purchased in 2025 for the water reuse facility project as well as other possible projects, like the animal shelter.  

“Three acres for the animal shelter,” Adolphsen said. “The animal shelter is going to be put on one acre of that parcel, and it leaves us room for potential expansion of that or (adding) a dog park.”  

The fence will enclose one acre, even though the shelters themselves won’t take up the whole space, she said. 

“If a dog gets loose as they are bringing them into the shelter, they want to make sure they can contain it,” Adolphsen said.  

City officials contracted with Hands ‘n Paws, Moses Lake, for animal control services. Animals are kept at the Othello shelter temporarily; if no one claims them, Hands ‘n Paws takes ownership.  

“Our original contract was that we would provide space for 32 dogs,” she said. “I believe we can install two (kennels) right off the bat, and then we’ll have to start looking for additional funding.”  

Johnson said the kennels are ready-made. “Those particular units are buildings themselves,” he said.  

Adolphsen said city officials wanted to get the space ready first. “We’re going to put in the water, sewer, power and the fence," she said. "Then we’re going to order the buildings."

The kennels will come in different sizes to accommodate small dogs or big dogs. 

“The average is eight kennels per portable,” she said. “They come up with their own power water, everything. You drop them on a concrete pad, we connect them (and) they’re ready to go.”