The City of Danbury is getting a sizable donation to be able to finish the new Animal Control Facility.  The $300,000 comes from the estate of Ellen Levy, the late wife of Councilman Warren Levy. 

The City Council voted to name the new building The Ellen Levy Animal Control Facility in her honor. 

Ellen Levy passed away last year.  She had been a community activist who believed in helping those less fortunate than her.  Ellen was the Director of Head Start in Westchester County.  She also loved animals and always had a dog by her side. 

The City ran into some expensive problems, which also caused lengthy delays.  Overhead wires had to be moved and an issue with the right or way ownership had to be resolved.  $1 million in bonding was previously allocated.  The capital budget for the coming fiscal year includes another $700,000 for the work.

Animal Control officials say a new facility is desperately needed, despite improvements made a few years ago to bring the current building up to date with state regulations.  They say it's still sub-standard to pounds of today.  The building was constructed in the early 70's, doesn't have heat or air conditioning, and there's no room to quarantine animals if they're sick. 

Officials say a new building will give them a humane area to hold dogs before they're adopted.