Plans for a proposed $1.6 million parishwide animal shelter in Jeff Davis Parish are moving forward, with bids for the project expected to be let by the end of the year.

The police jury on Wednesday approved updated plans for the animal shelter which will be located on parish-owned property in front of the Jeff Davis Parish Regional Jail on U.S. 90, just west of Jennings.

“This is a much-needed facility in Jeff Davis Parish and we are trying to wisely use the funds that we received from the federal government to make it a reality,” Police Jury Steve Eastman said.

During the meeting police jurors discussed several options for the design of the animal shelter including square-footage and cost based on preliminary proposals provided by Beazely and Longo Shelter Design of Lafayette.

Preliminary plans for the shelter include a 4,000-square-foot shelter with 30 dog kennels and 17 cat cages with a capacity for at least 60 animals. Plans also include office space, an area to treat the animals and parking.

Parish Administrator Ben Boudreaux said the layout for the shelter is nearing completion, but plans for the structure will continue throughout the project. The facility will be designed to expand in the future as needed.

“As more details get added, more decisions will have to be made…like for wall treatments, equipment and those kinds of things,” Boudreaux said.

Eastman said bids for the project are expected to be let by late November. The project will take 18-24 months to complete, he said.

Funds for the project will come from American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding awarded to the police jury.