Georgetown, August 6, 2025
News Summary
The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS) is set to expand with a $1.1 million investment to accommodate more animals and enhance its facilities. Following the recent approval by county commissioners, a new two-story structure will be built next to the main adoption center, adding over 20,000 square feet of space and more than 100 dog kennels. The expansion comes ahead of the merger with the Georgetown Animal Shelter, aiming to centralize services and improve animal care amidst increasing demand due to recent flooding.
Georgetown, Texas – The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS) will undergo a major expansion valued at $1.1 million to accommodate a growing number of animals and improve facilities. On Tuesday, the Williamson County commissioners officially approved a contract with Quorum Architects, which will handle the design and engineering of the new two-story building set to be constructed adjacent to the main adoption center in Georgetown.
The expansion will add 20,850 square feet of enclosed space along with approximately 7,200 square feet of covered outdoor dog runs. The building will feature new administrative offices on the top floor, moving staff currently located in the cat adoption center to a dedicated workspace. The ground floor will house a significant number of new dog kennels, expected to be at least 100, in order to better facilitate the shelter’s operations and animal care.
The idea for the shelter’s expansion has been in discussions for several years, fueled by conversations regarding the merger between WCRAS and the Georgetown Animal Shelter. This merger will become official on July 14, a development that has been accelerated by recent floods that dramatically increased the need for expanded capacity. After the flooding, WCRAS took in around 190 dogs and cats from the Georgetown Animal Shelter, further underscoring the pressing need for additional space to ensure proper care for these animals.
While the expansion is underway, some dogs from the shelter are temporarily housed at the Red Poppy Adoptique, the former location of the Georgetown Animal Shelter. Once the new building is completed, all adoptable dogs are scheduled to be relocated back to the main campus. The county has not provided a specific timeline for when construction on the new building will commence or conclude.
The upcoming merger is expected to centralize shelter services for the Georgetown area at the WCRAS campus, allowing residents to benefit from a full range of shelter programs and services. In the interim, dog adoptions will continue at the Red Poppy Adoptique during the transition period.
To celebrate the merger and the expansion plans, a special event is scheduled for July 19, featuring free adoptions for all available pets. This event aims to raise awareness and support for the shelter’s enhanced capabilities in serving the community.
The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter was established in 2007 as a primary resource for rehoming pets and providing services for lost and unwanted animals in the region. A bond election held in November 2023 passed successfully, enabling Georgetown’s integration into the WCRAS partnership, which will ultimately enhance shelter capacity and services offered to the community. The updated interlocal agreement outlines Georgetown’s responsibilities, ensuring a boost in services for local residents.
Key Features of the WCRAS Expansion
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Total Expansion Cost | $1.1 million |
| New Building Size | 20,850 square feet |
| Outdoor Dog Runs | Approximately 7,200 square feet |
| New Dog Kennels | At least 100 |
| Expected Merger Date | July 14 |
| Celebration Date | July 19 |
| Animals Taken in Post-Floods | 190 dogs and cats |
| Year Established | 2007 |
FAQs
What is the purpose of the WCRAS expansion?
The expansion aims to accommodate the growing number of animals at the shelter and improve facilities, ultimately enhancing services offered to the community.
When will the new building be completed?
As of now, there is no specific timeline for the start or completion of construction on the new building.
Will adoptions continue during the expansion?
Yes, dog adoptions will continue at the Red Poppy Adoptique while the expansion is ongoing.
What is planned for the celebration on July 19?
The celebration will feature free adoptions for all available pets to commemorate the merger and expansion.
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Additional Resources
- Community Impact: Georgetown Expansion
- Wikipedia: Georgetown, Texas
- FOX 7 Austin: Animal Shelter Merger
- Google Search: Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter
- Community Impact: Round Rock Interlocal Agreement
- Google Scholar: Animal Shelter Expansion
- Community Impact: Georgetown Merger Timeline
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Animal Shelter
- Community Impact: Round Rock Consideration
- Google News: Williamson County Animal Shelter Expansion
Author: STAFF HERE GEORGETOWN
The GEORGETOWN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREgeorgetown.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Georgetown, Williamson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Red Poppy Festival, Georgetown Swirl, and Christmas Stroll. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Georgetown Association, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as local wineries and historic downtown shops. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREaustin.com, HEREcollegestation.com, HEREdallas.com, HEREhouston.com, HEREgeorgetown.com, and HEREsanantonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
