In a city as expansive and evolving as Oklahoma City, caring for the most vulnerable members of the community often falls to those who work quietly and compassionately behind the scenes. At the heart of this mission is the city’s new Louisa McCune Animal Welfare Center; a project years in the making, and now finally underway on the city’s southeast side.
“This is not just a shelter — it’s a center,” said Director of Development Services for Oklahoma City Brock Rowe. He oversees multiple city divisions, including animal welfare, and was quick to emphasize that this new facility represents more than brick and mortar. “It’s designed to improve dogs’ and cats’ lives while inside. It’s a shift toward something more humane, more thoughtful.”
The current animal shelter, originally built decades ago and last remodeled in 2006, has long struggled with capacity issues. Designed to hold roughly 300 dogs, the facility has regularly operated at 130 to 150 percent over capacity. “That takes a toll — not just on the animals, but on staff morale, health and safety,” Rowe noted. “We’ve had to double up dogs in kennels, even if they don’t belong together. And we’ve had to make heartbreaking decisions about space.”
The new Louisa McCune Animal Welfare Center, named for the late animal advocate and director of the Kirkpatrick Foundation, will nearly double the current capacity, offering approximately 500 kennels. Funded by MAPS 4, the $42 million project is expected to be completed in 2027. It will include outdoor play areas, an adoption center, an event and education space and a full veterinary clinic. But even with its expanded capabilities, the center’s mission is about more than housing animals — it’s about community education and long-term change.
“We’re not just building a better shelter,” Rowe explained. “We’re working to re-educate the public about responsible pet ownership; going into schools, partnering with volunteers and making the shelter a last resort instead of the first option.”
Oklahoma City is the fifth-largest city in the nation by land mass, stretching well beyond what many residents realize. However, this new facility will be the only city-run animal welfare center serving the entire area. “If someone loses a pet on the north side near Piedmont,” Rowe said, “they might not even think to check a facility tucked into the far southeast corner. That’s why visibility, access and public awareness are all so important.”
The job is anything but easy. Rowe was candid about the emotional toll faced by animal welfare staff. “It’s one of the hardest jobs out there. Our people fall in love with these animals. They care for them day in and day out. And when things go wrong, whether it’s illness, abuse or space limitations, those moments are devastating.” He called the shelter staff “a rare breed of people,” motivated not by recognition but by an unwavering commitment to compassion.
Spaying and neutering remain two of the most vital tools for controlling the overwhelming pet population. “If more people would simply get their pets fixed, we wouldn’t face the overcrowding issues we see today,” Rowe said. The operation prevents unplanned litters and reduces the risk of certain health issues and behavioral problems, making it a responsible and compassionate choice for any pet owner.
That spirit is reflected in the work underway today. Even before construction is finished, the city is seeing change. Capacity rates have dropped. A second veterinarian has been hired. Volunteers continue to show up. And initiatives are in motion to help reunite strays with owners rather than immediately bringing them to the shelter.
“It’s a building, yes,” Rowe said, “but more importantly, it’s a promise. A promise that we’re going to do right by these animals — and by the people who care for them.”
