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The new Richmond animal shelter officially opened today.

Photo by Hannah Scott

City opens new animal shelter

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 3:25 PDT, Fri July 22, 2022

Last Updated: 1:00 PDT, Wed July 27, 2022

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The City of Richmond and BC SPCA today officially opened the city’s new animal shelter, a purpose-built facility that will enhance access for stray and abandoned animals in a safe, supportive environment.

The new shelter at 12071 No. 5 Road is over one-third larger than the previous facility built in 1978 and designed to minimize stress on animals while waiting for their “furever” home. It can provide shelter for up to 17 dogs and 40 cats, as well as rabbits and other small animals.

“The new Richmond Animal Shelter integrates best practices in shelter design for the safe handling of stray and abandoned animals and we are pleased to partner with the BC SPCA on its operation,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “We know that many animals are more than just pets to people, so it is essential that we have a safe and comforting environment for animals while we seek to rehome them. This new shelter achieves that.”

The city and BC SPCA entered into an agreement for animal sheltering and animal control services in Richmond in 2021. Part of that agreement is the operation of the new animal shelter, along with recovery and related services. The BC SPCA supports an enhanced quality of life and ethical treatment for animals and follows the Canadian Standards of Care Guidelines for all animals in its care.

“The BC SPCA is extremely pleased to be working in partnership with the City of Richmond to provide the best possible care for animals in this community,” said BC SPCA Chief Executive Officer Craig Daniell. “We’re excited to be working with a city that has demonstrated such a high regard for animals and their guardians.”

There are several best practice features in the new shelter including isolation areas for sick and injured animals to limit disease or cross-contamination; separate housing areas for animals with behaviour concerns; an outdoor fenced area for farm animals such as chickens, roosters, and goats; and a separate food preparation area. The shelter also provides opportunities for adoption.

Leading-edge building features include heated floors within the kennels, Solatube lighting bringing sunlight into kennel areas, and hygienic drain and cleaning systems that add to the comfort, safety, and environmental-friendliness of the new facility.

Another unique feature of the new shelter is the interior artwork provided by students from Westwind elementary and Burnett secondary schools. The artwork responds to the theme “Furever Home” and speaks to the efforts of the BC SPCA and its staff to find safe and loving forever homes for dogs, cats, and other small domestic animals such as birds, hamsters, and rabbits living at the shelter.

An extensive stakeholder consultation process influenced the design and scope of the new facility, which complies with the Canadian Standards of Care in Animal Shelters, regarded as industry best practices in the design and operation of animal shelters.

With the shelter officially opened, the public is invited to attend a special community open house tomorrow (July 23) to see it first-hand and learn more about animal care, adoption, and services provided by the BC SPCA. The open house is happening from noon to 4 p.m. and people can park next door at 12031 No. 5 Road (next to the shelter—volunteers will guide drivers to the location). Face masks are required inside the shelter.

A food truck, entertainment, and vendors such as dog training and BC Pet Registry will be onsite, as well as a member of the RCMP K9 unit and members of Richmond Fire-Rescue to demonstrate animal life saving equipment. The public is also encouraged to bring donations including wet food and treats for cats, kittens, dogs, and puppies, and new or gently used cat, dog, and small animal toys.

Tours of the new facility will also be available when possible and while there will be dogs, cats, and small animals available for viewing, general handling of animals by guests will not be permitted in order to maintain a low-stress environment for the animals.

Anyone needing to contact the BC SPCA about a lost, wandering, or aggressive animal, or barking, nuisance, or injured animal in Richmond between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. should call 604-709-4668 or email animalservicesrequest@richmond.ca. Any messages received outside those hours will be addressed the next business day. For urgent matters, call the RCMP non-emergency number at 604-278-1212.

For inquiries related to animal regulations, dog licensing, and fees, contact the city’s animal protection services team at 604-247-4633.