The Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter (5843 Jefferson Avenue) will hold a Dedication Ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 27, 2015. The Ceremony will feature remarks from representatives of the four jurisdictions that joined together to build the shelter- Newport News Mayor McKinley Price, Hampton Mayor George Wallace, Poquoson Mayor Eugene Hunt, and York County Board of Supervisors Chairman Thomas G. Shepperd, Jr. Tours of the new facility will follow the dedication. This 30,000 square foot state-of-the-art animal care facility at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Briarfield Road in Newport News will provide animal sheltering and adoption services for the citizens of these four jurisdictions. The new shelter has spacious accommodations for both dogs and cats and features an adoption area, exotic/pocket pets rooms, “get acquainted” rooms, veterinary clinic, laundry/food prep rooms, grooming room and offices for each jurisdiction’s animal control staff. The building includes a variety of state-of-the-art features such as nine separate air handling systems, automatic kennel drains, built in pressurized cleaning system, vehicle sally port, backup generators and separate entrances for adoptions and surrenders. The shelter’s design also includes a variety of environmentally sustainable features. The Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter will be managed by a team of animal care professionals including a shelter director, kennel supervisor, veterinarian, adoption/volunteer coordinator, animal care specialists and other full, part-time and volunteer staff.
The Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter began receiving surrendered and stray animals the week of January 5, 2015 and anticipates being ready for adoptions by February 1st. In addition to the Shelter dedication, a public open house is being scheduled for early spring. For more information, call (757) 933-8900 or visit www.peninsularegionalanimalshelter.com.