After nearly a decade of planning and fundraising, the Twin Falls Animal Shelter is on the verge of a major milestone. The facility is set to break ground on a significant expansion project in approximately two weeks, according to KIVI (kivitv.com), which first reported the story.
Debbie Blackwood, director of People for Pets, said the effort has been a long time coming. “It’s been almost nine years since we first proposed the need for an expansion — and we’re breaking ground here in two weeks,” she told KIVI.
The expansion will address chronic overcrowding that has plagued the shelter for years. Among the planned improvements are a dedicated cat annex, an additional dog intake kennel designed to house stray, vicious, and sick animals separately, expanded office space, and a new veterinary suite. One of the most pressing problems the project will solve is the shelter’s inability to house cats and dogs in separate areas — a situation that has persisted for many years.
A Community Fundraising Effort Years in the Making
Supporters and organizers have raised $1.4 million through community fundraising efforts, with the City of Twin Falls contributing an additional $750,000 toward the project. Despite those substantial totals, the shelter still needs roughly $150,000 more to bring the project to full completion.
Blackwood acknowledged the remaining gap, saying, “We’re needing about 150 thousand more to completely finish the project.”, as first reported by the KIVI 6 On Your Side
The shelter’s fundraising drive spans nearly a full decade — a testament to the sustained commitment of Magic Valley residents and local donors who have backed the effort over the years. Similar community generosity has been on display elsewhere in the region; a Twin Falls homebuilder recently donated $2,500 to a local youth center, reflecting a broader culture of civic giving across the area.
Pooch Splash Fundraiser Set for Sept. 12 at Dierkes Lake
With the final funding gap still open, organizers are leaning on one of their most beloved annual traditions to help close it. The 15th Annual Pooch Splash is scheduled for Saturday, September 12 at Dierkes Lake in Twin Falls. The event is one of the rare occasions when dogs are permitted inside the Dierkes Lake park — a special designation that makes the gathering a highlight of the fall calendar for local pet owners.
The Pooch Splash has served as a cornerstone fundraiser for People for Pets over the years, helping build community enthusiasm and financial support for the shelter’s mission. This year’s event carries added significance as the groundbreaking approaches and the final stretch of fundraising begins.
For animal lovers across Twin Falls County, the expansion represents more than a new building — it marks the payoff of years of grassroots effort to give the shelter the space and resources it needs to better care for the community’s animals.