The Town of Little Elm's first animal shelter, located at 1104 W. Eldorado Parkway, Suite 103, is officially open for business.

The new facility can house 20 large dogs and 18 cats, has a waiting area, quarantine, office, storeroom, and bathroom.

The Little Elm Journal has reported that kennel attendant Crystal Parker will care for animals and assist customers from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and Animal Control Officer Dave Stillwell will meet customers by appointment on Mondays.

The shelter will provide adoption services, but they will not vaccinate, spay or neuter, or treat animals.

Animal owners have up to 72 hours to claim their animal at the shelter. If after 72 hours, an animal is unclaimed, it will be put up for adoption or placed with a rescue society if possible. After all options have been exhausted, an animal could be euthanized.

Residents battling unwanted animal guests may check out non-lethal traps for seven days that will catch cats, possums, raccoons, or other wild animals. They must supply the bait, but Stillwell will collect trapped animals.

Because the animal shelter is a division of the Little Elm Police Department, a person searching for his or her lost pet should call the police station at 214-975-0460.