Charlotte Kicks Off Work on $30M Animal Shelter to Double Pet Space

Work has begun on a $30 million adoption hub at 5400 South Tryon Street. The building will add vital space for homeless pets - 100 new dog spots and 30 cat spaces in the city's care system.

Plans filed with the city show construction four miles from the current Byrum Drive center. After a June 2025 funding approval, Albion General Contractors stepped in to craft the design.

Overcrowding plagues the existing shelter. Staff took in 667 animals during May 2025. The first five months of 2025 brought 4,189 pets through their doors. Sadly, space limits forced them to end the lives of 445 animals.

"As Charlotte continues to grow rapidly, so does the pet population—and with that comes increased demand for shelter space and services," said a spokesperson from Animal Care & Control, according to The Charlotte Ledger.

When doors open, South Tryon will focus on finding new homes for pets. Meanwhile, the Byrum site will handle incoming animals, medical needs, and surgeries. Both locations will welcome families seeking to adopt.

The current site costs $664,713 in yearly rent to Charlotte Douglas International Airport. This sum jumps to $688,970 by 2026. FAA rules require the airport to charge market rates for its land.

By building on city-owned land at South Tryon, yearly costs drop significantly. The exact construction schedule remains in flux as initial designs take shape.

"We're incredibly grateful for the city's support," the spokesperson said, as shared by The Charlotte Ledger. "The new kennels will help reduce pressure on our existing infrastructure, allow us to better care for animals in need, and give more time to find adoptive or foster homes."

This growth follows a recent shift that moved animal services from police oversight to the general services department, streamlining operations.