Bishop Shelter plans modernizing that would double size

When Edward and Lillian Bishop started the privately run, nonprofit, Bishop Animal Shelter on 40 acres of family citrus groves in 1958, they probably never envisioned the number of homeless animals the facility would serve after nearly 60 years and the wear and tear on the facility.

But after caring for thousands of small animals, mostly dogs and cats, over nearly six decades, the facility at 5718 21st Ave. W., Bradenton, is “basically failing” and needs to be replaced by a newer and larger one that can serve even more animals in a safer, more comfortable fashion to both animals and humans, Keith Pratt, the shelter’s director, told the Bradenton Herald last week.

Pratt said that the current facilities’ sewer system, electrical system and the kennels all have major problems.

Pratt and the Bishop Animal Shelter’s foundation, which was endowed by the Bishops, have agreed that work should begin soon to modernize the shelter and enlarge it, Pratt said.

Pratt did not say if plans call for the present shelter to be completely torn down and replaced by a new one or if the old one is to be extensively remodeled.

Also to be determined is the budget Pratt and the Bishop foundation are working with to get the job done.

Pratt has submitted to Manatee County officials a proposal that would create a shelter large enough to double the number of kennels from 48 to 100 as well as an educational building to be used for tours and classes on how to take care of animals.

The proposal is pending county approvals before any work begins, Pratt said.

The modernization would occur in phases and would take three or four years, Pratt added.

Pratt said that the shelter has decided to stagger the expansion and modernization to avoid closing at any point during the project. Another advantage to staggering the expansion would be to get the changes approved by the county in advance, Pratt said.

“We’re overrun with animals,” Pratt said. “We’ll be doubling in size, so we’ll be able to take twice as many animals as we have now.”

First up in the renewal project for the shelter, said Pratt, will be the animal turn-in and isolation building, where animals are first brought to receive checkups from veterinarians before being put up for adoption.

This story was originally published November 5, 2017 at 2:55 PM with the headline "Bishop Shelter plans modernizing that would double size."