by Kelsey Warren-Bryant
Oklahoma City has broken ground for the brand-new Louisa McCune Animal Welfare Center to help address the crisis of pet overpopulation and to honor McCune’s legacy as an animal advocate.
On February 27, 2025, adoptable shelter dogs dressed in construction outfits sat alongside human attendees, including members of McCune’s family and representatives of the Kirkpatrick Foundation. Speakers including Mayor David Holt expressed heartfelt remembrances of McCune and the potential impact the new shelter will have on the community.
“It will absolutely make a difference in our community’s ability to save animal lives, which enhances human lives,” said Holt.
It’s no secret that animal overpopulation is an increasing concern in the Oklahoma City metro and surrounding areas. Intake requests often exceed available kennels, and overwhelmed shelters must make difficult decisions to turn animals away or resort to euthanasia to make room.
The city has made many attempts to address the crisis, including waived adoption fees, complimentary spaying and neutering, and community outreach. However, overpopulation continues to perplex struggling shelters in the metro area.
McCune Propelled the Shelter Forward
McCune was executive director of the Kirkpatrick Foundation and a board member for Patrons of OKC Animal Welfare and the MAPS 4 neighborhood subcommittee. During her term at MAPS 4, the idea of building a new Oklahoma City animal shelter was born.
McCune enthusiastically proposed to Holt that the new shelter be included in the 2019 MAPS 4 programming. Holt had reservations regarding the ability to rally support and funding, and he responded that building a new shelter might not be possible just yet. He suggested that it be proposed as part of a future MAPS project instead.
McCune, however, would not accept that answer and went straight to work rallying support. Within a week, the council was discussing the inclusion of the new shelter in its MAPS 4 proposal.
McCune tragically passed away in August 2024 after having battled cancer. Because of her enormous efforts and influence in getting the new animal shelter off the ground, several members of the community suggested naming the shelter after her. Council members overwhelmingly agreed.
Enhancements in the New Center
The 70,000-square-foot facility is expected to open in 2027 and will be overseen by Oklahoma City animal welfare superintendent Ronnie Schlabs, who began his position in March 2025. The new shelter will more than double the current number of kennels for dogs, going from 246 to 550, and will increase the number of cat condos from 210 to 317.
In addition to accommodating more animals, the new layout will provide separate cat and dog kennel wings to create quieter, less stressful spaces for pets awaiting adoption. Each kennel room will have windows to bring in more natural light, and there will be outdoor play yards with artificial turf, designed to offer exercise and socialization.
Holt says, “Obviously, humans need animals, and this project will meet the needs of both our city’s animals and its residents. We want OKC’s animals to lead great lives because they bring joy and happiness to our lives.”
The $42 million project is being funded through MAPS 4 and will be constructed in two phases. The first phase consists of building the new shelter directly behind the existing one, and the second will consist of demolishing the current shelter, constructing a new barn, and adding more parking.
Helping Animals Find Families
At the close of the groundbreaking ceremony for the shelter, many attendees grabbed shovels and dug in enthusiastically. It is clear that with the construction of the shelter, Louisa McCune’s legacy will live on — in the hearts of those who knew her and in the lives of all the animals who will seek their forever families at the new Oklahoma City Louisa McCune Animal Welfare Center.
