AURORA | City officials and animal activists put on the dog yesterday in Aurora to mark the construction of a new, exponentially larger animal shelter in the city.

Long coming, officials said the $51.3 million replacement shelter is critical in meeting the needs of a growing community and improving care for animals.

The 42,000-square-foot, two-story facility will replace the city’s aging 13,000-square-foot shelter, originally built in the 1980s.

The new shelter will be southeast of the intersection of Chambers Road and East 32nd Avenue, near the current facility. When completed, it will have capacity for 250 animals, including dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and other small mammals.

For years, city officials and animal shelter staff have argued that the existing shelter had outgrown its purpose. The current building, which was originally constructed as an impound facility before being converted into an animal shelter in 1984, serves a city whose population has expanded dramatically over the past four decades.

Animal Services Manager Anthony Youngblood said Tuesday the new facility will address many of the challenges posed by the current shelter’s limited space and aging infrastructure.

“My staff and I are thrilled that work has started on the new shelter,” Youngblood said in a statement. “A larger, more modern space will benefit everyone from the animals we care for to Aurora residents who come to the facility to adopt the next new member of their families to our volunteers.”

The project comes after years of discussions about the shelter’s future. City officials previously said the existing facility was no longer compliant with standards established by the Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act, largely because of space limitations.

The new shelter is designed to provide expanded services and improve conditions for both animals and visitors. Plans include dedicated veterinary facilities, outdoor play yards, and larger adoption and foster care areas.

Animal control officials said the building will create a more welcoming and efficient experience for residents while supporting animal welfare and public safety efforts.

The shelter currently handles a wide range of animal-related services, including reuniting lost pets with owners, housing stray and abandoned animals, facilitating adoptions and supporting animal control operations.

Mayor Mike Coffman said the investment will provide long-term benefits for the community.

“As the proud owner of a rescue dog myself, I couldn’t be happier Aurora is now building an animal shelter that will better serve the needs of animals and our residents,” Coffman said. “This facility will benefit our community for decades to come.”

The shelter’s cost will include funding from city certificates of participation, impact fees and federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. Community donations totaling nearly $500,000 will also contribute to the project.

The new shelter is expected to take roughly 18 to 24 months to complete. Construction is scheduled to end in late 2027, with the new shelter opening to the public in 2028.

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