SANTA CRUZ — The new Santa Cruz Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shelter is moving skyward as it goes through the framing and siding phase on Chanticleer Avenue.
In May the SPCA hosted more than 100 people on at The Inn at Pasatiempo to celebrate the groundbreaking of the shelter, which will allow the currently overcrowded facility to spread out in a 7,092-square-foot facility.
The Santa Cruz SPCA operates from a cramped, 1,200-square-foot rented bungalow. The future shelter will include 3,500 square-feet of modern animal habitats, isolation and intake areas, custom “catios” and kennels, multiple yards and a large community room.
“The new place will be about six times the size of our current shelter,” said executive director Alison “Ali” Talley. “One of the things I’m most excited about is that in the coming years we’re going to be able to double the number of animal lives saved.”
Santa Cruz SPCA has been a part of the community for more than 80 years. Each year, it saves more than 500 animals through programs that rehabilitate and re-home animals.
“We’re expecting to open in the spring of 2020,” Talley said. “Construction began in March and it’s changing by the day. Right now everything is going according to plan. We’re really happy with the progress as it stays on track.”
Bogard Construction is the general contractor for the job.
Talley added that the SPCA is always looking for volunteers.
“We are now offering hardhat tours of the new construction site and invite anyone to come have a look,” Talley said. “This really is a community project.”
For information call 465-5000 or visit fo*********@sp****.org.
