County of Santa Clara Begins Construction on Animal Services Center
Facility Showcases a Community Space and a State-of-the-Art Clinic
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – The County of Santa Clara has begun construction on a state-of-the-art, 37,000 square foot Animal Services Center set on 4.5 acres, that is scheduled to open in 2021. This new facility allows for enhanced animal care as county resident and pet populations continue to grow.
“This will be a landmark facility and an inspiration for other animal care facilities across our state and country,” said Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman, District 1. “Our state-of-the-art Animal Services Center will also be a hub for South County activities, providing a much-needed community meeting space, with a light-filled room will host up to 300 guests and will be available for public use.”
The current shelter is a former San Martin residence that is more than 70 years-old and lacks many amenities necessary in a modern animal facility. Animal Service staff members treat and home almost 4,000 dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, chickens, and other animals every year. The new construction will double the capacity, allowing for better care from staff and volunteers.
“This new building will be a game-changer — expanding the footprint, supporting modern shelter standards designed to keep animals happy and healthy,” said Miguel Màrquez, County of Santa Clara Chief Operating Officer. “Our goal has always been to create a better environment and a better experience for adopters, volunteers, staff, and visitors.”
A 2,500 square foot barn will make the County Animal Services Center the only facility in the region designed to house livestock. For the first time, there will be a space for advanced veterinary care, and room for our exceptional staff and volunteer corps. A multi-use community space will be available for shelter events, community endeavors, and youth organizations. Residents in the South County will have a place to gather, celebrate, and experience the special bonds humans and animals can share.
Additional amenities include a landscaped open-air courtyard that functions as a central meet-and-greet location for adoptable dogs, sound-absorbent dog kennels, free-roaming cat condos, a small animal area, and a veterinary clinic.
“We are so appreciative of the County’s commitment to improve the lives of animals,” said Lisa Jenkins, County of Santa Clara Animal Services Manager. “So much progress has been made in the last decade of animal care and this facility will solidify the County of Santa Clara as a leader in animal care and sheltering.”
With a current 94.3% live-release rate – ranking in the top three for public facilities in California – the County Animal Services, which includes the animal shelter and animal field services, is committed to saving all animals even when the shelter is full. The shelter is open admission, meaning all animals are accepted from County service areas, regardless of temperament and condition.
The new Animal Services Center will be open seven days a week and serve unincorporated Santa Clara County from Stanford to San Martin, along with the contracted cities of Gilroy and Morgan Hill.
There are unique partnership opportunities available in the coming months for the public to demonstrate how much they care about animals and their community. To learn more about how to support the new Animal Services Center, visit aplace4animals.com.
Video: County of Santa Clara Begins Construction on Animal Services Center
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About the County of Santa Clara, California
The County of Santa Clara government serves a diverse, multi-cultural population of 1.9 million residents in Santa Clara County, the fifth largest county in California. With a $7 billion budget, more than 70 agencies/departments and 22,000 employees, the County of Santa Clara plans for the needs of a dynamic community, offers quality services, and promotes a healthy, safe and prosperous community for all. The County provides essential services including public health and environmental protection, medical services through Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC) hospitals and clinics, child and adult protection services, homelessness prevention and solutions, roads, parks, libraries, emergency response to disasters, protection of minority communities and those under threat, access to a fair criminal justice system, and scores of other services, particularly for those members of our community in the greatest need.
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Media Contact: Roger Ross, Consumer & Environmental Protection Agency, (408) 918-4620; Laurel Anderson/Marina Hinestrosa, Office of Public Affairs, (408) 299-5119.