Wake County approves schematic design for new $57 million animal center on Ranley Farm

The Wake County Board of Commissioners approved schematic design for a new animal center at its Jan. 20 meeting after a detailed presentation from Facilities Design and Construction and R&D Architects. Project manager Patrick McHugh and architect Rhonda Zak presented a site at Ranley Farm, a building program of roughly 56,000 square feet, and program features that include a community veterinary clinic, dog‑training space and quarantine/isolation zones intended to reduce infectious disease spread.

"The project's total budget is $57,000,000," project manager Patrick McHugh said during the presentation. The schematic calls for about 265 dog kennels and 184 cat condos, roughly doubling current capacity, plus a community training center, a dog pavilion, EV charging stations and provisioned infrastructure for future photovoltaics.

Commissioners raised questions about cost context, what the facility does to address root causes of surrender and abandonment, partnerships with the SPCA and other rescue organizations, and funding timing. Staff said the existing shelter was completed in 1998 and cannot be expanded on its current site; the new southern parcel at Ranley Farm was chosen for expansion. The project team described two bid alternates — adding 31 kennels to reach the target capacity and a community training center — that would be priced separately and considered during contract award.

Commissioner Addison moved to approve the schematic design and the board voted to carry the motion. Staff said design would be completed toward the end of the year, with construction bids to follow and construction starting mid‑next year and completing in late 2028 or early 2029, subject to scheduling and procurement.