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DC Health says Brandywine Valley SPCA partnership has launched; new DC Village shelter near completion
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Summary
DC Health reported the Brandywine Valley SPCA began operations January 1 and that animal-holding capacity has already shifted to a new DC Village site; the agency expects remaining staff and medical-suite build-out to finish in the coming months.
Director Ayanna Bennett told the committee that DC Health changed the city's animal-control operations earlier this year and contracted with Brandywine Valley SPCA, which began operations January 1.
What the agency said: "Since initiating operations, they have supported the development of the district's new animal shelter, held several adoption and vaccination events, provided critical veterinary services for district animals, and engaged in robust community outreach," Bennett said. She added the agency intends to base services in a new modern shelter in DC Village and move operations out of New York Avenue.
Contract size and recent spending: Committee members noted the FY25 contract spending exceeded FY26 proposed levels and asked whether the proposed FY26 contract of about $8.5 million is adequate. DC Health said FY25 reflected transition-year spending and that $8.5 million is the right-size figure for FY26; the agency said it does not anticipate 26 spending pressures under normal operations.
Shelter construction and operations: DC Health staff said the animal-holding areas at the DC Village site are operational and animals have been transferred; outstanding construction items for staff workspaces, adoption areas and a medical suite have faced supply-chain delays (HVAC and specialized medical-suite air-handling). The agency said it is working to finish those elements “in the next few months,” but that the holding capacity is already functional.
Oversight and complaints: Committee members asked about oversight and tracking of bite incidents and how DC Health will monitor Brandywine operations compared with previous vendors. The agency said it has increased oversight walk-throughs and inspections at both New York Avenue and DC Village and has visited both sites multiple times since the contract transitioned. DC Health also said it is prepared to maintain a small in-town adoption satellite site to improve public access while DC Village operates as the primary facility.
Ending: The committee asked DC Health to continue frequent reporting on adoption metrics, bite incident tracking and the status of outstanding medical-suite installation prior to the Council's budget deliberations.
