Mayor Muriel Bowser led a dual event in Ward 8, marking the opening of the new DC Animal Shelter at DC Village and the groundbreaking for the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services (FEMS) and Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) Fleet Maintenance Campus.
“Today represents another bold investment in modern government facilities and services,” said Mayor Bowser. “This is a beautiful new animal shelter, with modern health care services and facilities. We want residents to come check it out, visit the animals, and maybe they’ll end up taking one home to be part of their family.”
The newly opened shelter brings all public animal services under one roof, including lost and found pets, animal care and control, fostering, wellness programs, spay and neuter operations, as well as community cat services. The facility replaces an older site on New York Avenue NE. This move signals a significant step in improving animal welfare services within the District.
As the first District-owned and operated animal shelter and hospital, the $19.5 million facility spans 30,000 square feet. It features an in-house ICU for animals needing emergency care, nearly 10,000 square feet dedicated to veterinary clinic space, expanded surgical suites for spay/neuter procedures, advanced diagnostic equipment such as x-ray and ultrasound machines, specialized surgery capabilities including dental cleanings, more housing for dogs and cats, play yards both indoors and outdoors for dogs, as well as a large community room intended for education programs.
The adoption center operates Tuesday through Friday from noon to 7 pm, and on weekends from 11 am to 5 pm. Surgeries at the Animal Health Center are by appointment only; scheduling can be done by calling 202-888-VETS. Adoption fees will be waived until Sunday, November 9.
“The DC Village Animal Care and Control Facility is a powerful example of what we can achieve when we lead with compassion and collaboration,” said Dr. Ayanna Bennett, Director of DC Health. “This facility represents our shared commitment to building a healthier, safer, and more connected DC for every resident, whether they walk on two legs or four.”
Since January 1 of this year, Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA) has managed animal control services in partnership with DC Health. BVSPCA was chosen due to its reputation for high-quality care standards and strong adoption results. The organization now oversees medical services along with field operations in the District.
“We are grateful to be operating out of this beautiful new facility, built by the District to meet the increasing needs for animal services,” said Adam Lamb, BVSPCA CEO. “The nearly 30,000 square foot campus offers amenities for lost, stray and adoptable animals, family pets, and the community. BVSPCA is excited to provide a wider range of services including high-quality low-cost veterinary care [and] community cat services...along with adoptions...and support our lifesaving work.”
Construction began last November; currently over 100 animals are housed at the center with capacity reaching up to 150.
Alongside this opening was also the start of construction on an $86 million FEMS & OSSE Fleet Maintenance Campus—reported as FEMS’s largest capital project so far. The campus will provide maintenance bays for vehicle fleets serving both agencies as well as fueling stations and administrative offices aimed at boosting efficiency.
“The work that happens here at DC Village doesn’t always make headlines but it’s what keeps our city moving,” said Delano Hunter from Department of General Services. “The new Animal Shelter & Fleet Facility honor people who work behind-the-scenes—maintaining vehicles [and] caring for animals.”
FEMS’s Apparatus Division maintains over 500 vehicles—including fire engines that respond to hundreds of thousands of calls each year—and will benefit from this expanded facility.
“This new Fleet Maintenance facility will expand [our] ability to repair...fire engines...trucks...ambulances...[ensuring] safety...and vital services we provide,” stated Fire & EMS Chief John A. Donnelly Sr.
For OSSE’s Division of Student Transportation (OSSE-DOT), which transports around 3,400 special needs students daily from four bus terminals citywide—with about 90 buses leaving just from Southwest Terminal—the project will replace temporary trailers with permanent facilities featuring parking spaces for up to 150 buses plus electric charging stations.
“This project reflects Mayor Bowser’s continued commitment to investing in education by building much-needed infrastructure...” said State Superintendent Dr. Antoinette S. Mitchell.
These projects are part of ongoing efforts to transform DC Village into a centralized hub for essential government functions—improving access to public spaces across all wards.
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