Broward County Animal Care will soon get a state-of-the-art $15.2 million contemporary animal shelter and adoption center, after a kick-off construction with a special “ground-digging” event on Friday at a brand new location. In celebration, residents are invited to “Name Your Price” and pay an amount of their choice to adopt a new pet – from adults dogs and cats to puppies and kittens.
The event will be highlighted by special canine “dig”nitaries digging the first mounds of dirt.
The 40,000-square-foot modern shelter will be located in the Broward Municipal Services District, directly across from Broward’s Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport long-term economy parking lot. Once complete, the shelter will be situated on a landscaped, six-acre parcel of land. The new building will replace the aging and outdated Adoption Center located on SW 39thStreet.
“The new shelter demonstrates our continued commitment to the pets of Broward County,” said Mayor Tim Ryan. “It will allow us to better serve the residents and pets in our community with a much more comfortable and spacious environment than our current location.”
“The biggest news for the new shelter is that the entire building, including the kennel areas, will be enclosed,” said Lisa Mendheim, Public Education Coordinator. “Currently, most of our kennel areas are open air. However, in the new shelter, all of our pets, guests and staff will enjoy the comfort of an inside, air-conditioned environment year-round.”
Stiles Construction of Fort Lauderdale will manage the construction of the project in partnership with the architectural design firm, LIVS Associates of Coral Gables, which will oversee the interior design and processes of the shelter.
Animal Care staff and all pets will be relocated to the new shelter at 2400 SW 42nd Street Fort Lauderdale 33312 which is set to open in Spring 2016.
The “Name Your Price” event will be from May 15 – 17 only. All Coral Springs and Parkland residents are welcome to adopt animals at this time or anytime. Adopters during this weekend will receive a special bag of treats to commemorate the event.