By Kevin Jefferies
Commerce – Dirt work has begun on an expansion to the animal shelter in Commerce. The expansion is part of an agreement between the city and Hunt County to begin taking in animals from other areas in the county that the shelter would not normally be expected to house. Hunt County is providing most of the funds necessary to expand the shelter, and will be paying additional monies in the future to cover operating costs. The City of Commerce will likely be hiring another full-time Animal Control Officer to work in the expanded shelter, freeing the current officer to perform other duties.
The shelter will begin officially taking in animals from Hunt County in October. Construction is not expected to be finished until sometime after that.