Henrico officials announce name for proposed animal adoption center

A proposed $15-million no-kill animal adoption center in Henrico that would be funded through the bond referendum on this November’s ballot has a name.

The facility, fittingly, would be called the Henrico Pet Adoption Center. Henrico Humane Society President Cara Salman made the announcement during a brief press conference with county leaders at Short Pump Park Wednesday evening. The winning name received the most votes from a group of seven finalists that had been submitted by residents as part of a contest created by county officials to drum up interest in the concept ahead of this year’s election.

“This was a fun and first-of-its-kind opportunity for our residents and animal lovers who have shown overwhelming support or a new animal adoption center,” Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas said.

Three Chopt District Supervisor Tommy Branin hatched the idea of such a center – one that would be a no-kill facility – more than a year ago, after hearing from residents, and proposed it to Vithoulkas.

“We spoke with the folks at the Henrico Humane Society about what that could look like,” Vithoulkas said.

Ultimately, plans for the facility were included as part of $83.85 million in proposed fire and public safety projects in one of four bond referendum questions that Henrico voters are being asked to consider in this year’s general election. Early voting already is underway; Election Day is Nov. 8.

“With the current bond referendum on this November’s ballot, we have the opportunity right now to address this need,” Vithoulkas said.

Voters may approve or reject each of the four referendum questions (which in total add up to more than $511 million) independently of the others. A simple majority is all that’s needed to approve each question, and a majority vote would authorize the county to sell bonds to finance the infrastructure work it has proposed within each category (the others are schools; drainage; and recreation and parks).

The animal adoption facility would be operated in conjunction with the Henrico Humane Society and would be the first no-kill facility of its type in the county, Branin said.

Through August, the Henrico Animal Protection Unit, which operates the county’s animal shelter on Woodman Road, had euthanized 139 dogs and 55 cats, according to county data. Last year through the same timeframe, those totals were 60 and 92, respectively.