Construction of new $6.6M combination animal control HQ and shelter to begin in January

City officials today announced an updated timeline for a new, state-of-the-art animal shelter and office building for Detroit Animal Care and Control (DACC). The $6.6 million facility, located at Ferry and Russell near the county’s new criminal justice complex, is expected to begin construction in January and to open to its first furry guests before the end of 2023.  

The new facility was originally expected to open in Spring 2023, however, a change in the contractor team and some design modifications pushed the start of construction back more than six months.  With the project back on track, officials are excited about what the new facility will mean for the community and for the dogs and cats that come through its doors.

“The new facility reunites Animal Care and Animal Control in a combined operations location to better serve Detroiters and their pets,” said Denise Fair Razo, Chief Public Health Officer. “The team is excited to move into new quarters with more than 200 kennels, a veterinary clinic, call center, adoption areas, outdoor kennels, pet exercise area, quarantine and isolation areas. This will allow us to provide enhanced service in all areas of animal welfare. We appreciate the support of Detroiters, including rescue groups and especially our elected officials who have championed this effort.”

The approximately 30,000-square-foot building will provide nearly twice the space as DACC’s current 16,000-square-foot headquarters and shelter.  It will include over 200 kennels (up from 86 currently) to significantly expand its boarding capacity and feature larger outdoor areas for dog runs. The new facility also will include a new, modernized veterinary clinic with better amenities and more space to allow Detroit Animal Care to provide a higher level of care and treatment.   

“No one is more eager to complete this new facility than we are. The new Animal Control facility will increase capacity and enable animal control officers to continue ensuring the safety of Detroit residents,” said Brad Dick, group executive, Services & Infrastructure. “It is critical that we get this right and now that we have the right contractors in place, we are ready to begin construction just after the holidays and honor the City’s commitment to enhance animal welfare for residents and their furry friends.”

Plans call for the complete overhaul – inside and out – of the existing building at 5700 Russell, which most recently has been used for office space for the Greater Detroit Resource Recovery Authority (GDRAA).  The expansion will provide space to house additional kennels and expanded office space and have the highest level of air filtration and draining systems needed for this type of facility. This updated plan replaces a previously announced design that would have added modular office and veterinary space behind the current facility.

“The new facility will be the culmination of a series of major improvements made within Animal Care and Animal Control in recent years,” said director of the Demolition Department, LaJuan Counts. “This updated expansion plan allows us to completely address the challenges the current facility now faces. When this new shelter is completed, the DACC staff, as well as residents and animals, will have the improved facility they deserve.”

DACC is calling on all Detroit residents who own dogs to help by making sure their animals are secured, vaccinated against rabies, have a license and microchipped. For anyone interested in fostering or adopting an animal, go to the Detroit Animal Care shelter located at 7401 Chrysler Drive from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. seven days a week or visit [email protected].