Approached by the SPA (society for the protection of animals) in its project to build a new shelter in Aguessac, the City of Millau has just voted, in the municipal council, an investment subsidy of €5,000. The work should begin next October for an estimated delivery in March 2026.
The project led by the SPA (society for the protection of animals) to build a new shelter-pound in Aguessac to replace the current one located on the Paulhe road near Millau is not new. But it has just received official financial support from the City. The municipal elected officials, solicited in the same way as their colleagues from the Millau Grands Causses Community of Communes, recently voted an investment subsidy of 5000 euros.
“The SPA, a recognized public utility association, has acquired land in the commune of Aguessac to build a new shelter”, unfolds the summary note submitted to the vote of the elected municipal officials of Millau. “This 2.1 hectare site represents a major interest for the link between man and animal within the Aveyron department. It takes over from the Millau site, operated for around fifty years, which has managed to create a real link between the SPA and the municipality.”
A cost estimated at €6.7 million by the SPA
The Aguessac land, located at an A75 interchange, was acquired by the SPA in September 2021. With the idea, therefore, of building a new shelter there to replace the current one, located on the Paulhe road and dating from 1976, no longer really suited to needs. With a total cost estimated at €6.7 million (excluding land). The SPA, which filed the building permit at the end of March, is currently conducting a consultation phase before work. This should begin next October for final delivery expected in March 2026.
Designed by the CL Architecture firm based in Montbazens, Aveyron, the future new-generation shelter-pound will be made up of buildings with mixed metal/wood frames. It has been worked “architectural coherence to avoid mimicry” and for “feel the village spirit”. Another goal pursued by the architects: “minimize volumes in order to give a human and reassuring scale to the site.”
More relationships between humans, nature and animals welcomed
More generally, the SPA highlights “the development of a new refuge concept” west “rethought the overall functioning of the site around the relationship between the animals welcomed, man and nature.” There will therefore be spaces adapted for each species: accommodation in “village nature” for dogs (three quarters will benefit), a “habitat respecting the facets of cat behavior” without forgetting “spaces adapted to farm animals and NAC (new pets)”.
The future Aguessac site will also include landscaping, educational panels to raise awareness of the animal cause, as well as outdoor spaces dedicated to welcoming visitors. These are all promises to which is added that of concern for the environment. As the City of Millau explains: “the chosen site aims to be exemplary in its environmental integration, right from the start of the work (eco-responsible clauses in calls for tender, site planting, economical water management, etc.).”
Ultimately, from March 2026, the site will be open to everyone (including people with disabilities) and, the City insists, “will create eight full-time jobs.”
