Ground Breaks On $92 Million New Animal Care Center In Baychester, The Bronx

 

Ground recently broke on a new animal care center in Baychester, The Bronx. The $92 million ground-up development will yield 50,000 square feet and house admissions, adoptions, medical services, and boarding for 70 dogs, 140 cats, 30 rabbits, and 20 animals of other species. The new animal center is part of the city’s goal to maintain a full-service animal shelter in each borough. The City’s Animal Care Centers are a non-profit organization that serve as the city’s open-admissions animal-shelter system contracted and overseen by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and operated by Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC).

ACC vaccinates and micro-chips animals before finding them placement through direct adoptions from the public and through partnerships with hundreds of other animal welfare organizations. ACC also offers resources to reduce pet surrenders and help people keep their animal companions and reunite lost pets with their families.

Rendering of courtyard at Bronx Animal Care Center. Courtesy of NYC Department of Design and Construction.

“As we move forward with building an animal care center in the Bronx, which for too long has gone without one, we take another step toward a more equitable city,” said Fred Kreizman, the mayor’s community affairs unit commissioner. “Bronx residents shouldn’t have to leave the borough to access important services offered by ACC, and this brand-new facility will benefit people and animals alike.”

Marvel Architects is responsible for the design. The site will contain numerous open areas including yards to facilitate dog adoptions, covered exercise runs, courtyards, and parking for staff, visitors, and animal transportation vehicles. In addition to the animal housing, the center will include a community space. The building and associated landscape are anticipated to achieve LEED Silver Certification for environmental sustainability. There will also be smaller, self-contained housing groups referred to as “pods,” for flexible housing options.

“Often, what’s good for animals is good for people, and it’s certainly true in this case,” said Alexandra Silver, director at mayor’s Office of Animal Welfare. “This new center will expand our city’s ability to care for animals in need and bring essential services to Bronx residents. It will be an important resource for community members with or looking for companion animals, as well as a hub for career, volunteer, and educational opportunities. Thank you to ACC for their dedication to NYC animals and the people who care for them, and to the advocates whose commitment and years of work helped make this project a reality.”

The animal care center is scheduled to open in spring 2025.