AURORA | Aurora’s animal shelter could expand its services under a new agreement with Arapahoe County.

At a study session Monday, Jan. 25, Aurora City Council members gave initial approval to an agreement that would allow Aurora’s animal shelter to house and provide services for animals found in Arapahoe County beyond Aurora city limits.

Under the intergovernmental agreement, the Aurora Animal Services Division would provide shelter, food and water, basic care, veterinary services and treatments, emergency services, and disposal of animals impounded by Arapahoe County.

The partnership with Arapahoe County would add 220 more cats and dogs at a cost of $10,000 per year. Aurora’s animal shelter would receive more than enough to cover that — an estimated $43,000, according to city documents. The bulk would come from an annual payment of $30,000 from Arapahoe County. The rest would come from adoption fees and owner reclaim fees for Arapahoe County animals housed at the Aurora shelter.

Animal Care Manager Jenee Shipman said Aurora’s animal shelter would benefit from the additional revenue, which could be used to improve the shelter’s building, which was constructed in 1985 as an impound facility for the police department.

The Aurora Animal Services Division impounded more than 3,700 cats and dogs in 2014, costing the division an estimated $285,100, according to city documents.

Councilman Charlie Richardson suggested Aurora consider changing the number of days it holds an animal to match the county’s. Aurora’s shelter keeps animals for five days before an assessment is scheduled to determine whether to put the animal down, in order for owners to have time to find lost pets. Arapahoe County keeps animals for six days before taking similar steps.

“I would like it to be consistent, if they go to five or if we go to six,” Richardson said. “The worst incidents in my career here were when we put down a dog that the owner wanted back.”

Shipman said the city could change its holding period to match Arapahoe County’s once the agreement is approved.

The issue will go to a regular city council meeting Feb. 8.