The next key step in the construction of a new animal shelter comes on Tuesday.

Construction bids are due at 2 p.m. Tuesday for the new Pike Animal Shelter to be located on the Henderson Highway.

The journey for a new shelter began several years ago, as volunteer groups worked to raise funds and secure donated land for a new shelter. In March 2014, Reeves announced a partnership between the City of Troy, Pike County, the City of Brundidge, the Humane Society and the Pike Animal Coalition to construct a new shelter and dog park at 800 Henderson Highway. Humane Society land in Brundidge will be used for large animals.

According to Greg Anderson, project manager from McKee and Associates, the shelter will be approximately 2,998 square feet and will service both dogs and cats.

“It will be really similar to a veterinary clinic, but it is a little more geared for adoptions,” Anderson said.

The shelter will feature indoor and outdoor kennels, interview areas for people to come in and see if they blend well with the animals and a play yard.

“They will go out and let the animals play outside, so people can see how the animals act,” Anderson said. “We also have intake areas and isolation areas to cater to each animals’ individual needs.”

Troy Mayor Jason Reeves said he is grateful for the partnership between Pike County and the City of Troy on this project.

“We are appreciative of the county’s help on this project,” Reeves said, referencing a decision by the Pike County Commission to provide in-kind support for construction of the building. “We hope that by combining government agencies with this public and private partnership that we will be able to provide an animal shelter that will serve our entire community.”

Donna Schubert, chair of the founders’ society for Pike Animal Shelter, said she is excited that the shelter is becoming a reality after a lot of time an effort that has been put into the project.

“As a member of this community and as someone who has invested a lot of time, I am thrilled to see the commission show its support for building the Pike Animal Shelter,” Schubert said.

The Troy facility will serve the cat and dog population and will be over seen by a seven-person board comprised of representatives of each stakeholder and two additional appointees. Volunteers will run the daily operation, relieving Troy animal control officers of their current shelter operation duties.

“I hope this is a center for passion, learning and understanding the animals and the role they play in our lives,” Schubert said. “I hope that it is a happy and joyful place where the animals that are in the greatest need find help.”