County Breaks Ground on New Animal Services and Adoption Center

County Executive Isiah Leggett on Saturday helped break ground on a new Animal Services and Adoption Center just outside Gaithersburg.

"The new facility will replace the current outdated shelter that lacks sufficient space and equipment to meet current needs," according to a county press release. "That 15,737 square-foot structure was built in 1975, and its location at 14645 Rothgeb Drive in Rockville, did not allow for the extent of renovation that was required."

The new facility will be more than 49,000-square-feet and eventually include three buildings. The County Police Department's Animal Services Division will operate the new center.

"I am proud to celebrate the start of construction of the new Animal Services and Adoption Center that will provide our Animal Services officers with proper facilities from which to protect the public from dangerous animals and enable the County to humanely care for homeless or lost animals," Leggett said. "Thanks to all of you here today who have proven your dedication to animal welfare and worked so hard to make this new shelter a reality. We also appreciate the support of MCPAW, which has committed to raising two million dollars in private funds to meet additional center needs."

In fiscal 2011, the Police Department's Animal Services Division and the shelter operator, the Montgomery County Humane Society, received 12,561 animal-related calls for service; the shelter staff handled 7,713 domestic and wild animals; and MCHS reunited 1,163 lost pets with their owners and coordinated adoptions of 2,811 domestic animals to new homes.

The new center is designed to meet LEED Silver standards, and is anticipated to open in the summer of 2013. Construction is expected to cost $19.3 million.