COUNTY BREAKS GROUND ON NEW ANIMAL SHELTER

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

Video by Alex Aguirre

October 21, 2024 (Santee) - County officials all stepped aside for Howard the dog to take the first dig at the groundbreaking for the new 23,000-square-foot County animal shelter. When completed in early 2026, it will provide a new standard of care in animal housing for long-term animals as they patiently wait for a new home.

The new shelter in Santee will serve animals and residents in the South and Southeast County with an on-site small animal hospital. It will also serve as a fire evacuation site with animal intake and care during local disasters and will be energy efficient.

 Around 600,000 people live in the unincorporated area, and most of them have animals, Supervisor Joel Anderson said during the groundbreaking ceremony, adding that having a new shelter in Santee “helps and enriches our neighborhood.”

Vaugn Maurice from County Animal Services notes that since the county never euthanizes any animal, some pets stay in shelters for over a year.  The new facility will provide much needed space for these animals to live in comfort while awaiting their forever homes.