FAIR OAKS, Texas – Call ahead for directions, the Animal Friends website recommends, because "our location is a bit unique."
As of this week, the no-kill shelter has moved about 30 dogs next door to a self-storage facility with a gated entrance, just off the I-10 westbound access road in Fair Oaks, on a much smaller site than its five-acre location on Borgfeld Road.
"We're still in the process of finishing it, but actually it's going pretty well," said Christy Hall, an Animal Friends employee.
She said a grand opening is in the planning stages.
However, Animal Friends' former landlord, who had served on its board of directors, said Animal Friends moved out of its Borgfeld location two days prior to being evicted.
"It's been a long process," said Laura Alderman, the owner of the Borgfeld property.
Alderman said she gave Animal Friends time to adopt out more animals and make the needed repairs to the property.
She said instead, she was left with at least $100,000 in damages to several homes on site that were used to house the animals.
"A dollar a year. I leased it to them and this is how they repay kindness, generosity," Alderman said.
She said she paid more than $550,000 in 2007 for the property, specifically for use by Animal Friends.
Alderman said the facility opened in 2009, but it wasn't until last year that she discovered the extensive damage to the homes, including one that previous owner had recently refurbished.
She said wood floors were ruined by animal waste, mold spread throughout many of the rooms from an uncontrolled plumbing break, windows were broken and never replaced.
Alderman said the latest surprise was the fencing that was being removed by a rental company.
"They'd been renting fencing and they'd used my $8,000 for something else," said Alderman. "What I don't know."
Alderman said she had trusted the facility was being well-run because most animal rescue groups are dedicated to their mission.
"They have no interest in hoarding animals. They have an interest in finding them homes," Alderman said.
Gaylia Brunson, the attorney for Animal Friends, said she could not comment on the alleged damages because Alderman is threatening to sue.
However, Brunson said she denies the "hoarding" allegation.
"No adoption process is perfect and judgment calls must be made," Brunson said to avoid "mismatches" that would result in the animals being returned.
As for Alderman, she said she remains devoted to homeless animals. She said she plans on making the property available to another rescue group in future.