PetSmart Hops the Highway

Officials at Burnsville's PetSmart hope to soon have some new digs — a large space adjacent to the Super Target on County Road 42 West that has been empty for five years.

The new location, formerly the home of Linens-N-Things, has about 17,000 square feet more space than old location at 14290 Plymouth Avenue — enough to allow the company to expand its animal adoption program.

Instead of selling cats and dogs, PetSmart has partnered with local pet adoption agencies to find homes for dogs and cats. At present, the Burnsville PetSmart doe snot have enough room to keep the dogs for more than a few days. In the new space, dogs would be kept on continuously for seven days, then returned to the agency.

The dogs would use an indoor-exericse area. Their waste will go straight into the plumbing system, said Murray Walker, district manager for east minnesota PetSmart.

The Planning Commission approved the measure. It will go before the Burnsville City Council on Dec. 6.