BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. – The Berkeley County community celebrated the grand opening of its 11,500-square-foot animal center Monday afternoon with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
This new facility will provide more indoor and outdoor space for the influx of stray and neglected animals the shelter has seen in recent years, according to county officials.
“The new Berkeley County Animal Center is a source of pride in Berkeley County. Thanks to our wonderful staff, volunteers, and generous donors, this new facility will be a huge upgrade. Together with county council, we saw an opportunity to better the facility and move to county-owned land. This critical decision will save money in the long term and provide a better benefit to the animals and citizens of Berkeley County,” Supervisor Johnny Cribb said.
Berkeley County was previously operating a shelter at a leased building on Cypress Gardens Road. The new Berkeley Animal Center is located on county-owned property at 131 Central Berkeley Dr. in Moncks Corner. It will provide two fenced-in grass play yards, two fenced horse pastures and much more.
The shelter annually takes in more than 5,500 stray, abandoned, and lost animals. That number continues to grow as more people move to Berkeley County, animal center employees have previously said.
The new facility will be able to house approximately 200 animals on the inside plus horses, pigs and goats on the outside.
This new facility will help us care for more animals and more effectively provide spay and neuter services. The need to spay and neuter animals in Berkeley County is a growing problem in our County and State. Additionally, the Animal Center will make us better equipped to help animals and connect them to loving homes. The facility was completed on a tight timeline, in time for a busy Summer,” said Heather McDowell, Berkeley County Animal Center Director.
County officials said a little more than $1.9 million was budgeted for the new shelter from the county’s $30 million 2016 general obligation bond. A bid in the amount of $1,796,000 was ultimately awarded for its construction to SouthCon Building Group and Carrier Construction.
SEE ALSO:
- Berkeley Animal Center Receives $65K PetSmart Charities Grant
- Construction On New Berkeley Animal Center Underway
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