Petersburg non-profit says city needs to ‘move along’ on new animal shelter

PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) -- A Petersburg non-profit said it wants documented evidence of the city's efforts to build a new animal shelter.

Volunteers with Petersburg Animal Welfare Society said the current shelter has fallen into disrepair, and that it's not a good environment for animals or adopters.

(Photo: Mariah Jallad, 8News)

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services told 8News that in the last year, it has leveled civil penalties against the shelter. Those are now on hold based on "ongoing plans to improve and build a new shelter," a VDAC spokesperson said.

But PAWS said it hasn't seen any progress on the new shelter. PAWS also said the city first announced the new shelter in 2023.

"Our original conversation with them in May of 2023 was, 'it's on a fast track,'" said PAWS board member Jo Ann Glazier. "Well here we are, June of 2025, and that fast track has disappeared."

(Photo: Mariah Jallad, 8News)

PAWS volunteers have worked with the Petersburg shelter since its founding in 2009. Volunteers pair shelter pets with foster homes to keep them from being euthanized. Because of the non-profit's involvement in the past, it wants to provide input for the new shelter.

"Don't keep us out of the loop," Glazier said. "We're here to help."

A statement from city councilman W. Howard Myers said Petersburg has made many efforts to collaborate with PAWS.

(Photo: Mariah Jallad, 8News)

"However, some PAWS members insist on controlling the new shelter," the statement reads. "The City has hired firms that specialize in shelter design, engineering, and operations."

Glazier said PAWS had to file a public records request with the city to get the latest information about the new shelter. Emails show the city expects to provide some response by tomorrow.

Councilman Myers' statement said final approval and public release of the shelter plans are expected later this summer. It said a groundbreaking was planned for August on a 20-acre city-owned property at 1555 Flank Road.