The Nancy J. Brua Animal Care Center will temporarily adjust its hours starting Tuesday, Oct. 13, to provide staff members time to clean kennels before opening to the public each day. That work had previously been performed by Department of Corrections inmates and volunteers prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. While health guidelines associated with COVID-19 made inmate labor unavailable and limited the use of volunteers, the City was able to repurpose staff members from other areas where demand waned due to facility closures. As the City gradually reopens, those staff members are returning to former tasks, which means the remaining staff at the shelter need time to clean the kennels before opening to the public each day. Starting Tuesday, Oct. 13, the shelter will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday by appointment only. Its current hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday. “Fortunately we are once again able to accept new volunteers at the shelter. We also have a heightened need at this time,” Animal Control Supervisor Arleen Garcia says. “If you can commit to giving your time on a regular schedule, please consider becoming a volunteer. The work of volunteers greatly benefits the animals in our care while also freeing up animal control officers to devote as much time as possible to calls for service.” Volunteer applications are available at the Nancy J. Brua Animal Care Center’s front door and no appointment is necessary to pick up applications. Once applications are reviewed an interview will be scheduled and a background check will be conducted. For more information, call the shelter at (520) 458-4151.

As published in the Sierra Vista News (email)