City contemplates new animal shelter near pond

Animal advocates have their eye on a Weiser property they hope will become the long-awaited home of Washington County’s first animal shelter. 

 Weiser River Animal Shelter and Rescue have begun working to secure the rights to a small parcel of land on the east side of E. Fourth St. near the Weiser Community Fishing Pond. 

 The local non-profit has spent years searching for a site to house the county’s abandoned, neglected and homeless pets beyond city pounds.

 The prospective lot, currently a disused gravel area with a three-sided shed, is owned by Union Pacific Railroad and leased by the Farmers Supply Cooperative. Rescue Chairman John Aegerter said the cooperative is open to giving up its lease, but first his group needs the city to clarify whether an animal shelter is allowed on land currently zoned as industrial. 

 The Weiser City Council voted unanimously at their most recent meeting to consider adding an animal shelter to the list of allowed industrial uses alongside lumberyards and machine shops.

 The proposal now goes to the city’s planning and zoning committee. With committee support, the addition would still require city council approval. 

 City code outlines noise, dust and other limits even in industrial areas. Noise concerns helped derail a previous push to build an animal shelter near the Weiser Municipal Airport. County commissioners rejected zoning changes at that site over worries about barking dogs and abandoned animals. 

 Weiser River Animal Shelter and Rescue pushed back, arguing they would employ proper animal care, soundproofing and other measures. They plan to ameliorate any concerns at the new site in town. 

 A shelter would not replace the city pound, which handles problem animals, but it would help relieve overcrowding.

 Rescue members regularly volunteer at the Weiser pound. At the latest city council meeting, Weiser Police Chief Carl Smith thanked the group for stepping in to run the facility while the city staffer took some time off.

 Mayor Randy Hibberd added, “Appreciate all that you’re doing and all that you’ve done.”