Wake County Board of Commissioners approves design for new animal center

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Wake County Board of Commissioners have approved a design for the new animal center.

The Wake County Board of Commissioners has approved the design for a 54,600-square-foot facility to be built on a southern tract of Randleigh Farm in the eastern part of the county. This property, purchased jointly by Wake County and Raleigh in 2005 from NC State University, was once a dairy farm.

The new center will increase capacity for dogs and cats by over 50 percent, with some dog kennels featuring outdoor runs to help reduce stress for long-term shelter animals.

As Commissioner Vickie Adamson put it, "This new animal center is something our community truly needs. Our current facility has served us well for many years, but it can no longer keep up with the growing demand. This project will allow us to better care for animals and serve Wake County for decades to come."

Plans also include fenced outdoor yards, a dedicated walking path for volunteers and staff to walk dogs, and separate entrances for services like adoptions, a public vet clinic, foster programs, and animal surrender or redemption. Secure areas will handle animal intake from Animal Control.

This project is funded through the county's Capital Improvement Program.

Since 1998, the Animal Center has operated out of its Beacon Lake Drive location in northeast Raleigh, but the site's limited size has made expansion impossible.