KILLINGLY — A regional council of governments has chosen an architectural firm to draw up plans for an expanded Killingly-based animal shelter.

Members of the Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments, or NECCOG, on Friday approved the selection of Hamden-based Silver Petrucelli & Associates as the designated architectual firm for the planned work, said Executive Director John Filchak.

"Not only was this firm the low bidder, they also have extensive experience in the construction and renovation of animal shelters," he said. "They worked on one on the other side of the state in which animals were moved in and out while the work was going on. That's critical for us, since we can't shut down this operation."

The council in 2016 was approved for a $608,000 state grant aimed at bringing the animal care facility into compliance with state standards, as well as to add more space and improve workers’ ability to care for the dozens of dogs and cats residing in the shelter.

The architect selection comes as NECCOG officials are formalizing a plan to buy the 4 acres its headquarters sits on from the town of Killingly for $282,000. The land, which includes the council’s main office complex and the animal shelter, had been leased from Killingly since 1994.

Filchak said he met with Killingly Acting Town Manager and Town Council member David Griffiths earlier this month regarding the sale.

"I'm reasonably certain we'll have something in place by mid-October," he said.

Filchak previously said he wanted to close the land deal before sitting with state officials to assure the shelter grant money would be forthcoming.

"We've gotten a little advance from the state, so the money seems to be flowing," he said. "But we won''t have a shovel in the ground for a while. The hope is to have the work done by March."

On Thursday, several cats and kittens meowed and purred around the front desk area near where volunteers checked on the kenneled dogs.

Animal Control Officer Dianne Collette said the shelter, located off Putnam Pike in Dayville, currently includes 21 dog runs and a makeshift cat area whose population ebbs and flows depending on the season.

“The idea is to create a separate cat area for up to 80 cats so we don’t have to put cages anywhere we can fit them,” she said. “We’re also planning for an indoor adoption area. Right now, people looking to adopt have to meet the animals outside or in the entrance area where we’re keeping cats.”

Collette said preliminary plans also call for an animal intake/exam room where incoming cats and dogs can be weighed and bathed.

“It’s about making the space more comfortable for staff and volunteers and, most importantly, making it a welcoming place for the animals,” she said.