The Stratford Town Council voted Monday night to approved a new location for the Stratford Town Animal Shelter, potentially bringing an end to a 10-year relocation process.

The new site is behind DeLuca Field. Stratford's animal control officer says the society?s euthanasia rate is only 3 percent, but that it will go up if plans to build the new facility aren't soon realized.

Animal Control Officer Rachel Solviera says the shelter is at full capacity every day. Stratford animal control takes in anywhere from 500 to 600 dogs in a year, but its numbers are up 30 percent due to evictions and foreclosures.

Mayor Jim Miron says the town has set aside $1.7 million for the new facility, and if the plans go ahead, the town hopes to break ground on the site in the spring.