A petition with 66,000 national and international signatories was presented to council and a change to lethal injection was made after local vets offered to discount their services. But the pound continues to receive attention from animal rights groups as an inhumane place to house animals.
Funding of $450,000 for a new animal welfare centre was allocated in 2015 and various sites, including one at Balgownie, Castlecliff, were investigated. A council-owned site near the city's waste water treatment plant off Airport Road was thought to be the most suitable.
The site has been used as a dump for construction materials and testing will be required to ensure it is free from contaminates. Once final costings are known construction could begin either this year or next year, she said.
Several councillors raised concerns about noise from the new pound impacting residents in the area. Charlie Anderson said he did not want visitors to the city stepping off the plane to hear screaming dogs.
Ms Meiklejohn said the nearest neighbour was the pistol club and doubted that noise would impact residents along Wikitoria Rd or elsewhere. Noise would be mitigated by the pound's location beneath a hill and by design of the center itself, including tree planting.
The new pound could also be used by councils from Rangitikei and Manawatu on a "user pays basis" that would lessen the cost to Whanganui ratepayers. Discussion with both councils were taking place soon, she said.
The Balgownie site was not desirable because of its proximity to residential housing where noise would be an issue, and upgrading the existing pound would not be suitable either for various reasons, again including noise. There were no real alternative sites, she said.
Concept plans for the new pound had already been drawn up but could be adapted for a new site if needed.
Deputy Mayor Jenny Duncan said council had dragged the chain long enough and urged council to get on with it.
Kate Joblin said she wanted to see some evidence in the form of noise testing to be certain that residents won't be adversely impacted.
Committee chair Helen Craig successfully put a motion that a further report be awaited on the suitability of the Airport Road site to give council officers time to address the concerns raised.
If approved at a future committee meeting the item would require sign off by full council before the new pound can go ahead.
Meanwhile the city also needs a stock pound, mainly for horses, and has been using a portion of Montgomery Reserve as a temporary solution. If the Airport Road facility goes ahead as proposed the Montgomery Reserve site could become a longer term solution.
Ms Meiklejohn said the new animal welfare centre will assist with maintaining the city's reputation, as well as addressing health and safety issues faced by officers and the public.
A motion was also passed to thank local vets for discounting their services to make lethal injections possible.