Animal control officials in Los Angeles have unveiled a $10 million upgrade to an animal shelter in the city’s Lincoln Heights area. The formerly indoor-only North Central shelter has been dramatically expanded with 45,000 square feet of outdoor space.
The renovated North Central animal shelter now resembles a botanical garden with fountains and greenery. Floors are heated for cool days and an overhead misting system is in place for hot ones.
Cats still reside in kennels in a room, but the shelter says it plans to have the cages removed and the room transformed into a “cattery” with shelving and ramps. As of now, dogs get private cages and the shelter has a free-flight aviary for birds and shaded hutches for rabbits.
There are 176 new 5-by-14-foot kennels, with radiant heat in the concrete floors for cool-weather days, an overhead misting system for hot ones.
On average, dogs and cats stay in city shelters for about a week before they’re returned to their owners, adopted out, transferred to private rescue groups or euthanized, according to the shelter.
The renovations were funded by a 2000 $532 million city bond.