WALLER, Texas- It’s taken a lot of work and a lot of love, but now there’s a place in the city of Waller that rescues and shelters animals without the threat of them being euthanized. But they do have to spend some time behind bars.
The building that once was the city jail in Waller, has now been transformed into the City of Waller Animal Shelter and Rescue.
The dogs really don’t seem to mind sleeping in jail cells. They make them comfortable with everything they need.
"And they spend about half the day outside anyway, under the shade and playing and stuff like that,” says Leah Sipe, who runs the place, along with a host of other volunteers. The dogs are showered with love and affection here.
Earlier this year, she and others approached the Waller City Council, and spoke about the need for a no-kill animal shelter.
City officials offered the old city jail which was built back in 1940. Sipe and other volunteers cleaned it up and transformed it.
"Yes, it’s a jail cell and yes, it seems depressing but it’s really not. They use the bunks that the inmates used to sleep on," says Sipe.
Sipe is an officer with the Waller Police Department. And the other volunteers are all first responders as well..
"I think it’s extremely important to give the dogs an opportunity to have a chance for a good life and to have a good home," says Hanna Carlton, a volunteer firefighter.
The shelter just held its grand opening this past weekend, but the volunteers have been rescuing and sheltering animals for months now. Dozens have been adopted.
They can always use donations and volunteers, you can contact the City of Waller Animal Shelter and Rescue on Facebook.