West Memphis has opened a USD2.3 million animal shelter built with major financial support from Southland Casino Hotel and its parent company, Delaware North. The casino groups contributed USD1.7 million toward the Carolyn and Ness Sechrest Animal Shelter and Adoption Center.
The new facility stands behind the casino on the former site of the Mid-South Greyhound Adoption Center. According to CDC Gaming, it combines a new building with a renovated adoption facility and has capacity for 48 dogs and 40 cats. Separate quarantine areas and extra emergency space are also included.
Delaware North announced the contribution when construction began in January 2024. The city, community members and the Arkansas Greyhound Kennel Association also supported the project, which followed the end of live greyhound racing at Southland in 2022.
The center is named for the late Ness Sechrest, who served as chairman emeritus of Southland's board, and his wife Carolyn, a former member of the city's animal control commission. Both had advocated for a larger shelter before the project began. City and casino officials marked the opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on 29 October.
