Media Groundbreaking Information
Media Advisory
MEDIA ADVISORY
June 25, 2019
Contact:
Roger Ross
Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency
408.918.4620
Laurel Anderson/Marina Hinestrosa
Office of Public Affairs
408.299.5119
County to Celebrate New Animal Services Center
Groundbreaking June 26
Facility Showcases Community Space and a State-of-the-Art Clinic
WHAT:
The County of Santa Clara is hosting a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Animal Services Center and community space. The ceremony will include animals, success stories, and renderings of the future home.
WHO:
Supervisor Mike Wasserman, County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors
Miguel Màrquez, Chief Operating Officer, County of Santa Clara
Sylvia Gallegos, Deputy County Executive, County of Santa Clara
Animal advocates and adopters
Rescued horse, cow, dogs, kittens, and rabbits
Bowser, the dirt-digging dog, will lead the groundbreaking
WHERE:
80 Highland Ave
San Martin, CA 95046
WHEN:
June 26, 11 a.m.
WHY:
The current shelter is a former San Martin residence that is more than 70 years-old and lacks many amenities necessary in a modern animal facility. Almost 4,000 animals are cared for each year in the current location and the new construction will double its size, allowing for better care from staff and volunteers.
With a current 94.3% live-release rate – the best public facility California, the County of Santa Clara’s Animal Services Department, which includes the animal shelter and the animal care and control unit, is committed to save healthy or treatable animals even when a shelter is full, and to only utilize euthanasia for terminally ill animals or those considered dangerous to public safety. The shelter is an open admission shelter, meaning all animals are accepted from County service areas, regardless of temperament and condition.
The new state-of-the-art animal services center that will break ground later this year will become one of the preeminent animal services facilities in the country.
Rendering of the new Animal Services Center in San Martin
Press Release
Animal Services
County of Santa Clara
Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2019
Roger Ross
Consumer & Environmental Protection Agency
(408) 918-4620
[email protected]
Laurel Anderson/Marina Hinestrosa
Office of Public Affairs
(408) 299-5119
County of Santa Clara Begins Construction on Animal Services Center
Facility Showcases a Community Space and a State-of-the-Art Clinic
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – The County of Santa Clara has begun construction on a state-of-the-art, 37,000 square foot Animal Services Center set on 4.5 acres, that is scheduled to open in 2021. This new facility allows for enhanced animal care as county resident and pet populations continue to grow.
“This will be a landmark facility and an inspiration for other animal care facilities across our state and country,” said Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman, District 1. “Our state-of-the-art Animal Services Center will also be a hub for South County activities, providing a much-needed community meeting space, with a light-filled room will host up to 300 guests and will be available for public use.”
The current shelter is a former San Martin residence that is more than 70 years-old and lacks many amenities necessary in a modern animal facility. Animal Service staff members treat and home almost 4,000 dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, chickens, and other animals every year. The new construction will double the capacity, allowing for better care from staff and volunteers.
“This new building will be a game-changer — expanding the footprint, supporting modern shelter standards designed to keep animals happy and healthy,” said Miguel Màrquez, County of Santa Clara Chief Operating Officer. “Our goal has always been to create a better environment and a better experience for adopters, volunteers, staff, and visitors.”
A 2,500 square foot barn will make the County Animal Services Center the only facility in the region designed to house livestock. For the first time, there will be a space for advanced veterinary care, and room for our exceptional staff and volunteer corps. A multi-use community space will be available for shelter events, community endeavors, and youth organizations. Residents in the South County will have a place to gather, celebrate, and experience the special bonds humans and animals can share.
Additional amenities include a landscaped open-air courtyard that functions as a central meet-and-greet location for adoptable dogs, sound-absorbent dog kennels, free-roaming cat condos, a small animal area, and a veterinary clinic.
“We are so appreciative of the County’s commitment to improve the lives of animals,” said Lisa Jenkins, County of Santa Clara Animal Services Manager. “So much progress has been made in the last decade of animal care and this facility will solidify the County of Santa Clara as a leader in animal care and sheltering.”
With a current 94.3% live-release rate – ranking in the top three for public facilities in California – the County Animal Services, which includes the animal shelter and animal field services, is committed to saving all animals even when the shelter is full. The shelter is open admission, meaning all animals are accepted from County service areas, regardless of temperament and condition.
The new Animal Services Center will be open seven days a week and serve unincorporated Santa Clara County from Stanford to San Martin, along with the contracted cities of Gilroy and Morgan Hill.
There are unique partnership opportunities available in the coming months for the public to demonstrate how much they care about animals and their community. To learn more about how to support the new Animal Services Center, visit aplace4animals.com.
ABOUT THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA
The County of Santa Clara government serves a diverse, multi-cultural population of 1.9 million residents in Santa Clara County, the sixth largest county in California. With a $7 billion budget, more than 70 agencies/departments and nearly 22,000 employees, the County of Santa Clara plans for the needs of a dynamic community, offers quality services, and promotes a healthy, safe and prosperous community for all. The County provides essential services including public health and environmental protection; behavioral health and medical services through the County of Santa Clara Health System including Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (Hospital and Clinics), O’Connor Hospital and Saint Louise Regional Hospital; child and adult protection services; homelessness prevention and solutions; roads, parks and libraries; emergency response to disasters; protection of minority communities and those under threat; access to a fair criminal justice system, and scores of other services, particularly for those members of our community in the greatest need.
Visit the County of Santa Clara at: www.sccgov.org
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Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/sccgov
Videos
Visual rendering of the proposed look of the new Animal Services Center for Santa Clara County.
Animals Services Center Groundbreaking
Animals Services Center Groundbreaking - Shelter Raw Footage
