This dog was adopted from the Detroit animal shelter earlier this year. | Detroit Animal Care and Control/Facebook
This dog was adopted from the Detroit animal shelter earlier this year. | Detroit Animal Care and Control/Facebook
The city of Detroit will start building a $6.6-million animal control headquarters and shelter in January.
The project is intended to create a state-of-the-art facility for Detroit Animal Care and Control (DACC), according to a news release from the city government. The building will be located at the intersection of Ferry and Russell streets, near the county’s new criminal justice complex. It is expected to be operational by the end of 2023.
"No one is more eager to complete this new facility than we are," Brad Dick, group executive for services and infrastructure, said in the news release. "The new Animal Control facility will increase capacity and enable animal control officers to continue ensuring the safety of Detroit residents. It is critical that we get this right, and now that we have the right contractors in place, we are ready to begin construction just after the holidays and honor the city's commitment to enhance animal welfare for residents and their furry friends."
Denise Fair Razo, chief public health officer, spoke about the facility as well.
"The new facility reunites Animal Care and Animal Control in a combined operations location to better serve Detroiters and their pets," she said. "The team is excited to move into new quarters with more than 200 kennels, a veterinary clinic, call center, adoption areas, outdoor kennels, pet exercise area, [and] quarantine and isolation areas. This will allow us to provide enhanced service in all areas of animal welfare. We appreciate the support of Detroiters, including rescue groups, and especially our elected officials who have championed this effort."
The new 30,000-square-foot building will nearly double DACC's current 16,000-square-foot headquarters and shelter, the news release noted.
"The new facility will be the culmination of a series of major improvements made within Animal Care and Animal Control in recent years," LaJuan Counts, director of the city's Demolition Department, said in the news release. "This updated expansion plan allows us to completely address the challenges the current facility now faces. When this new shelter is completed, the DACC staff, as well as residents and animals, will have the improved facility they deserve."
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