City of Pasadena approves funding for Animal Shelter renovations after tornado

The City of Pasadena has approved $3.2 million for roof repairs after the twister that tore through Pasadena and Deer Park on Jan. 24.

The animal shelter has been working at a fraction of its normal capacity since January. City officials estimate about a third of the shelter’s roof was nearly ripped off by the EF-3 tornado.

The city approved the funding for roof renovations on Feb. 23 in a special city council meeting. Rex Lindberg is Pasadena’s Director of Community Relations and said repairs can finally begin after the meeting.

“First and foremost, we’ve gotta get the roof back on, get the animals back in there. Cause they’re in our adoption center next door now,” Lindberg said. “As you can imagine, with all the offices and animals, it’s quite a sight to see.”

Lindberg estimated the shelter was built around 20 years ago, and was due for some renovations prior to the tornado. He said because the shelter is now a disaster situation, city council can more quickly handle the situation.

“Different things took priorities. Hurricane Harvey came, kinda set us back a little bit, then that pandemic set in. Set everybody back two years. Winter storm Yuri came. Set us back again,” Lindberg said. “And now unfortunately, a tornado hit, but we’re gonna get it done. It needs to be done.”

The shelter is currently operating at 15% of its normal capacity with an adoption center as their only open facility. Only 30 kennels are available at the adoption center.

Macey Staes is with the Houston Humane Society, who took 28 dogs from the Pasadena Shelter while the shelter has been waiting on repairs.

“Our cruelty response team decided that they shouldn’t have to house animals in buildings with no tops,” Staes said.

Some of the animals found after the twister have been pets separated from their owners.

“One of them was actually returned to their original owner, which was great,” Staes said.

The owner had gone to the Pasadena shelter to volunteer and was reunited with his dog, Casper, as he was being transferred to the Houston Humane Society’s shelter.

Staes said community members who would like to help during the repair process can do so through adoption, foster programs where folks can temporarily house animals from shelters, and volunteering to walk energetic dogs at the shelter.