PASADENA, Texas — More than a year after a powerful tornado tore through the Pasadena Animal Shelter, it has officially reopened. The grand opening of the newly renovated building kicked off Tuesday with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
The facility on Burke Road got a $3.2 million dollar makeover, which includes a new roof that can withstand hurricane force winds, and a new electrical and HVAC system.
"Beautiful, I've never seen it this beautiful,” Assistant Manager Johana Murillo said.
An EF-3 tornado destroyed the shelter last January.
Murillo became emotional as she recalled the terrifying moment the shelter's roof was ripped off.
"We were trying to hold the door because we didn't know it was happening, and then we see the roof come through this way and hit the cars,” Murillo told us. "Oh my goodness, 20-something staff members, and then you have hundreds of animals, what do you do? You're the only one on site. But everybody came forward, it was amazing."
Fortunately, everyone made it out safe that day and no animals were hurt.
Since then, Murillo said the community has provided nothing but love and support.
"Without the community, we wouldn't be here,” she said.
Mayor Jeff Wagner with the City of Pasadena also shared how grateful he was.
"Here in Pasadena, it's really amazing, any kind of emergencies we've had the community really sticks together, and this right here is just another example of how, not just our citizen, but outside agencies from all over the country just opened their doors for our animals and poured in all kinds of donations,” Wagner told us.
He and Murillo said the renovated shelter is a testament to the resilience and community spirit.
Like before, the new shelter can house up to 160 animals, which include dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens, all looking for forever homes.
"The animals are going to have the space they need, they're not going to be in pop-up crates, and the facility is going to be able to help the community out by intaking more animals,” Murillo said.