Berrien County Animal Services is hoping to get a little more space.

Speaking to colleagues this week, Berrien County Commissioner Jim Curran said the administration committee earlier met with Animal Shelter Director Ashley Herr and was told they’re having to use the washing bay as an overflow area of dogs.

“What they’re telling us is that they are outgrowing the building and they need to add on,” Curran said. “She said they need roughly space for another 30 dogs and that equates to about 12,000 square feet.”

Speaking of the washing bay, Curran said a recent electrical problem there recently revealed some another matter.

“They had an issue with the wiring in the wash bay. When they installed the electrical box, it was not a waterproof box. So it faulted, it caused smoke and that kind of thing. When they opened up the box to get inside and look at the wiring, they found roaches, and lots of them, inside that box.”

Curran said Berrien County Administrator Brian Dissette has started looking into the shelter’s building needs. He’ll report back to commissioners when there’s a better handle on how the shelter could be expanded and how much it would cost.