Whenever animals are reported to be lost or in need of a family, individuals often have to look toward the Collin County Animal Shelter in McKinney as Frisco lacks a home for stray and hopeful pets. However, at Frisco’s most city council meeting, the topic was brought up as part of items on the May 6 election.

However, a suggested $5 million in funds for an animal shelter is not going to be part of the city’s $473.4 million bond election. 

“There’s too much unknown and liability that comes with us building something that we are not certain that we need, and right now, the data does not support that we need it,” Assistant Chief of Police Billy Clay said in a statement.  

The choice to leave out funding for an animal shelter in the bond election doesn’t mean the city may not spend money to help lost or stray animals. 

“I do believe that there needs to be funds allocated, not necessarily through our bond proposal process, but through the city budget of some sort towards animal services solutions,” Council Member Angelia Pelham said in a statement. “I do not believe that a shelter is the only solution to this problem [as] I believe that there are other solutions that get at education, reunification, [and] adoption.” 

However, Council Member Laura Rummel believes that including money and resources for the addition of an animal shelter will allow the community to fully commit to the issue of stray animals and pet adoptions in Frisco. 

“I think the $5 million gives us [the] commitment to say, ‘Yes, this is something we want to do and we are going to move forward in it, now let’s go figure out how to make it happen,’” Rummel said in a statement.

Senior Roham Haghjoo believes that an animal shelter will allow for more spaces for animals to find a facility as well as a home and be treated with more resources and opportunities. 

“I believe that investing in an animal shelter for the city of Frisco is a good idea because it can help relieve the stress put on other shelters as well as nearby rescues as many places are often unable to take in any new animals due to the fact that they are overcrowded, understaffed, and solely based on people volunteering their time to foster,” Haghjoo said. “While building and maintaining an animal shelter take time and resources, there are a lot of benefits that come from it such as reuniting lost pets with their owners and implementing a neuter and spay program.” 

Similarly, junior Lila Elizondo finds that an animal shelter will protect both animals and individuals in the community. 

“I believe that Frisco should invest in their own animal shelter because it can help animals and also protect individuals from animals that could be a risk and safety hazard,” Elizondo said. “It would [also] be beneficial because it can help rehome stray animals and rehabilitate them to have and find better help.”

Even without the animal shelter though, Elizondo believes that the city can come up with various solutions to help animals and individuals alike in the City of Frisco.

“Frisco can help by donating to local shelters and businesses that help adopt or rehabilitate stray animals,” Elizondo said. “The city can also spread awareness about the issue through social media or even news outlets too.”