Construction has begun on a replacement facility for the only animal shelter in Davis County, according to a November 5 report. The new 27,223 square foot facility will replace the aging 11,000 square foot shelter that was built in 1985.
The replacement shelter will feature a veterinary clinic, an educational community room, and fenced exercise areas. The facility is designed to include space for 60 dogs and 94 cats.
Davis County Animal Care Director Michelle Hicks stated that the new shelter prioritizes modern animal care and sensible community investments. Hicks noted that the functional floor plan is intended to expand capacity to protect vulnerable pets and create spaces for local families to connect, volunteer, and adopt.
The new facility will be constructed on the same 12 acres that currently house the existing shelter. While the new building is being constructed, the existing barn will remain with a new water connection.
To align with best practices in animal care, the design includes larger, angled kennels to help reduce stress on dogs, as well as smaller groupings of kennels to reduce noise. Layton Construction, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is the contractor for the project.
The project addresses issues with the original 1985 building, where mechanical systems and air handling units were deemed unreliable. Additionally, the existing space lacked sufficient room to quarantine and care for sick animals. The move comes as Davis County Animal Care took in over 5,000 animals last year.
The new shelter is expected to be complete in mid-2028. Jeff Palmer, Executive Vice President at Layton, said the company is honored to partner with Davis County to support the community and create a welcoming place to care for rescues.
