Groundbreaking held for new animal shelter in Charles

Charles County’s furry friends are getting a new and improved shelter, which has been long overdue according to county employees.

The current shelter in Hughesville has been in use for over 60 years and served Charles, Calvert and St. Mary's counties until recently.

Six decades ago, the tri-county population was 87,500. Today, the population in Charles County alone is nearly double that number, according to Jeffery Thomas, chief of animal control.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the approximately 22,000-square-foot facility happened Oct. 8 on land owned by Charles County government on Piney Church Road, directly across from the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs stadium.

Charles County funded the project in its entirety by financing the center with 15-year tax-exempt bonds, as well as the general fund. The fiscal 2025 capital improvement quarterly monitoring report, published by the county in early July, lists the entire budget for the new shelter at around $17.5 million.

“This shelter isn’t just a win for the animals, it’s a win for the community,” Michelle Lilly, director of Emergency Services, said.

Lilly furthered that the new shelter will bring dignity and compassion to the treatment of animals in the county and that it brings a chance for a new beginning to the animals it serves.

“It’s been too long,” Acting County Administrator Deborah Hall said. “It’s more important than bricks and mortar, it’s a testament to what we can achieve when we work together.”

Commissioner Amanda Stewart (D) urged citizens to share information about the shelter with their acquaintances and neighbors, saying that the facility is always looking for “folks to adopt their next furry buddy.”

The shelter will not only serve dog and cats, but livestock, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters and birds as well. It is expected to serve about 300 animals with about 14 staff members.

According to Thomas, the construction is slated to take about 18 months.

The facility will feature an education room for meetings, training and vaccination clinics, natural light incorporated into the design, soundproofing to buffer any outside sounds for the animals and limit escaping noise for neighbors, a state-of-the-art climate control system, meet and greet areas for cats and dogs, a walking trail, a livestock barn and more.

A flyer from the county says that their commitment to partnering with rescue groups for the placement of bully-breed dogs and specialized rescue organizations ensures the best possible outcomes for the dogs and community.

The new building will also house the county government's animal control division.