Aurora celebrates start of construction on new animal shelter

Construction is officially underway on the city of Aurora's new animal shelter. City officials marked the milestone with a groundbreaking ceremony on June 2, 2026.

The forthcoming 42,000-square-foot, two-story facility will replace the city's current 13,000-square-foot shelter, which was built in the 1980s. The new shelter is designed to better serve the needs of the growing community and improve care for animals across the city.

Located southeast of the intersection of Chambers Road and East 32nd Avenue, a short distance from the city's existing shelter, the new building will have space for 250 animals, including dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and other small mammals.

It will feature on-site veterinary spaces and outdoor play yards for animals in care and expanded adoption and foster areas. It is designed to create a more welcoming, efficient experience for residents while supporting public safety and animal welfare citywide.

"My staff and I are thrilled that work has started on the new shelter," Anthony Youngblood, Aurora's Manager of Animal Services, said. "A larger, more modern space will benefit everyone from the animals we care for to Aurora residents who come to the facility to adopt the next new member of their families to our volunteers."

The project is expected to cost $51.3 million. Funding comes from a combination of sources, including city certificates of participation, impact fees and federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars. Almost $500,000 in community donations will also support the work.

This critical infrastructure project will directly benefit the community, aligning with Aurora's well-managed strategic outcome.

"As the proud owner of a rescue dog myself, I couldn't be happier that Aurora is now building an animal shelter that will better serve the needs of animals and our residents," Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman said. "This facility will benefit our community for decades to come."

The project is being led by Hausmann Construction. Work is expected to wrap up in late 2027. The new shelter will open to the public in 2028.

"We're proud to build a facility that reflects Aurora's commitment to its residents and animals. It's a durable community asset that will serve the city well into the future," Hausmann Construction Vice President Greg Kushner said.

To find out more about this project, please visit AuroraAnimalShelter.org and click on New Animal Shelter.