The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly is seriously looking at reviving a plan to spend $33 million on a state of the art animal shelter that critics have dubbed the “Puppy Palace.”
On Thursday, the Assembly will take up an ordinance that aims to reinstate $16 million dollars that were put on ice by past members when the community vehemently protested the project back in 2024. That’s in addition to $17 million that has already been approved for the project.
In 2024, critics claimed the animal shelter was a lavish waste of taxpayer funds and argued that the borough would be better off purchasing another property at a fraction of the cost, or contracting with private companies, rather than competing with them using taxpayer money.
Two years later, however, the puppy palace proposal is back, thanks to Assembly members David Guttenberg and Liz Reeves who are sponsoring the controversial ordinance. It claims the current animal shelter facility does not “meet today’s animal welfare, care and handling, or the Association of Shelter Veterinarians standards of care.”
According to the borough’s website, the new facility will not significantly increase the number of animals that can be sheltered but it does include the following.
— Five 15-foot-long individualized outdoor dog play yards to provide “ample room for dogs to stretch their legs.”
— A walking trail where dogs can go on “enriching walks where they can explore and have attire such as jackets and booties if needed.”
— A newly designed and fenced “multi-purpose yard.”
— New drop off kennels that are “kinder and safer.”
— Larger kennels to “comfortably accommodate” larger dogs.
— Eye surgery services, as well as surgery to remove masses – under anesthesia.
— Natural lighting windows in every kennel.
The upcoming Assembly meeting on Feb. 12 is expected to be packed. Already letters, blog posts and email alerts are urging residents to turn out in force to urge the Assembly to nix the lavish new shelter in favor of lower cost alternatives such as purchasing existing buildings and retrofitting them.
“Make no mistake, this will greatly increase the structural budget and greatly increase your property taxes,” a post on X states. “Buildings have to be staffed and maintained, and this huge facility is no exception. It includes surgical suites, cat condos, and all sorts of bells and whistles that go beyond the animal control powers citizens granted to the borough. IT only increases capacity by one animal.”
The post notes that the location of the proposed facility with its crematorium, will be “pumping ash of past pets into the milieu of one of the worst airsheds: the area around near the Old Steese and Mitchell Expressway Overpass meet.”
TAKING ACTION
— The next Assembly meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. Those who wish to testify can attend in person, email assembly members at assembly@fnsb.gov or arrange to testify via telephone by calling (907) 459-1401 before 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 12.
— Click here to read the proposed Ordinance 2025-20-1T.
