A Denton nonprofit group has entered the public phase of its drive to raise $3.2 million for a new city animal shelter.

Denton Animal Shelter Foundation Inc. officially launched the drive this month after several months of behind-the-scenes fundraising. About $300,000 has been raised or pledged so far, said Bette Sherman, the foundation’s chairwoman.

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An artist’s rendering shows the city of Denton’s proposed 22,242-square-foot animal shelter, which would sit on 6 acres bordering North Lakes Park. A fundraising drive is under way.

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The fundraising drive includes the ongoing Paws for Refreshment campaign, where a different Denton restaurant donates a portion of its sales to the building fund each Thursday night.

Foundation leaders also hope to raise money through grants and other efforts, including T-shirt sales and a gift-wrapping table at the Denton Barnes & Noble Booksellers on two Saturdays in December. They’re also offering donors the chance to name areas of the planned shelter for themselves or in honor of others.

City leaders approved an agreement with the foundation in 2007 to share the costs of building a new shelter. The shelter is now expected to cost between $5 million and $6 million — down from earlier estimates because construction costs have fallen, Sherman said.

Foundation leaders hope to start building in 2011, but the timing of the project will depend on when the city can pay for its part. The recession forced City Council members to postpone a bond election that could have included money for the project. City officials say a vote may wait until 2012, but Mayor Mark Burroughs has said the council could explore other funding options to avoid delaying the project indefinitely.

Donors would get refunds if the shelter wasn’t built, said Mayor Pro Tem Pete Kamp, the foundation’s vice chairwoman.

The new shelter would sit on 6 acres bordering North Lakes Park. The land is part of a 20-acre tract the city bought from Rayzor Investments Ltd. for the shelter and a park expansion.

The shelter would replace the 30-year-old city animal shelter on Woodrow Lane, which officials say is too small to handle the more than 5,000 dogs and cats it sees each year. Plans call for a 22,242-square-foot facility — three times larger than the current shelter — to hold more animals and allow more adoption, housing and grooming space.

LOWELL BROWN can be reached at 940-566-6882. His e-mail address is lmbrown@dentonrc.com.

PAWS FOR REFRESHMENT

A different local restaurant is donating a portion of its evening proceeds to the Denton Animal Shelter Foundation every Thursday through Nov. 12, as part of the Paws for Refreshment campaign. The remaining days are:

* Thursday: Sweetwater Grill and Tavern, 115 S. Elm St.

* Nov. 12: Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, 115 Industrial St.

For more information on the foundation and its fundraising drive for a new animal shelter, visit www.dentonasf.com.

SOURCE: Denton Animal Shelter Foundation Inc.