[DACC] – The County of Los Angeles celebrated the groundbreaking Monday of its newest Animal Care Center projected to open in early 2016. The center, located at 38550 Sierra Highway in the City of Palmdale is the first new animal care center constructed by the County of Los Angeles since the 1970s.

This state-of-the-art animal care center will provide essential services to the residents of the Antelope Valley” said Mayor Michael D. Antonovich, “additionally, Animal Control Officers based in Palmdale will be able to respond more quickly to requests for service in the City and in nearby unincorporated communities.”

The new animal care center will be a one story, 25,500 square-foot, state?of-the-art, indoor animal care facility located on 5.94 acres in the City of Palmdale.  The approved project cost is $20.1 million.  The new facility is intended to serve the City of Palmdale and eastern portion of the Antelope Valley by providing additional animal control services to the residents of the surrounding communities and alleviating the high volume of animals and calls for service at the Lancaster Animal Care Center.  It is projected that the facility will provide housing to approximately 10,000 pets per year including dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small pets. The new facility will not house livestock; all livestock impounded from the communities served will be housed at the Lancaster Animal Care Center.

Features of the facility include separate intake and adoption lobbies allowing for immediate medical evaluation of incoming animals; animal adoption spaces designed for care, comfort, and easy viewing; and a central courtyard for enrichment and training activities.  The facility design features natural light, airflow design, and specific finishes to reduce disease transmission among sheltered pets.  The welcoming lobby will be enhanced by sculptural pieces designed by artist Mark Lere and will include a self-service station where residents can pay fees online or view available pets.