After over a year’s worth of delays, the Wags and Whiskers Animal Shelter is back on track in Innsbrook after the board of trustees approved their site plan and special use permit at the June 17 meeting. 

The two measures had also received a positive recommendation from the village’s planning and zoning commission a week prior at their June 11 meeting. Both measures were approved unanimously at both the planning and zoning and board of trustees meetings. 

“I just want to say that I am so pleased that we can finally forward in a proactive way to make Wags and Whiskers a reality,” said P&Z Chairman Allen Huddleston. 

The future of the shelter had been in limbo as their amended site plan including a septic lagoon for the shelter was denied by the board of trustees at their May 14, 2024 meeting. 

Proponents for the shelter had claimed the septic lagoon was the only viable solution for their property, given the constraints of animal fur in septic systems. Board members at the time, however, felt it was unsafe and did not want a septic lagoon on a small, commercially zoned property and denied the site plan. 

At the time the village did not have an ordinance prohibiting septic lagoons on commercially zoned property, but they have since enacted an ordinance regulating their use. 

Following the decision at the May 14, 2024 meeting, Wags and Whiskers President Tracy Sator said they planned to move forward with a traditional septic system in line with new village requirements despite the risks. 

Sator said at the June 11 planning and zoning meeting they had received approval from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for their new septic system and well and had submitted those documents to the commission as well. 

Following the decision at the June 17 board of trustees meeting, Chairman Cynthia Bowers was pleased the shelter was once again moving in the right direction. 

“Finally, we’ve got Wags and Whiskers on a pathway forward,” said Bowers. “So hopefully it’s all in your court now.”

“We’re gonna rock and roll,” responded Sator. 

While they have continued work on the building, near the intersection of Routes F and M in Innsbrook, Sator said there is still work to be done. She also obtained their renewed building permit from the village on June 23. 

They are working with vendors to find dates for the installation of their new septic system and well which Sator said may take some time depending on availability. 

They are also continuing work on the interior of the building including the final touches on paint, doors and preparing the space to house animals. 

That work will include epoxying the floors where dogs are to be housed and waterproofing the drywall so the room can be easily cleaned. She noted they have continued to receive support for the community as a local electrician is donating his time and effort for the electric work on the building and Papa Joe’s Painting is painting the ceiling and the walls in the building at no cost. 

She said the paint for the interior was also donated. 

“The community is stepping up now that we have a path forward for that build,” said Sator. 

They had also obtained documentation for their veterinarian of record as required by state statute with the Hometown Mobile Veterinary Clinic in Jonesburg. 

Sator said they hope to open by the end of 2025 and the final step will be their inspection with the Missouri Department of Agriculture for licensing.