City Starts Construction of $48 Million Brooklyn Animal Care Center to Provide State-of-the-Art Services for Animals in Shelter

Previous Warehouse Building Demolished for New, Sustainable Two-Story Facility

DDC: Denisse Moreno, 718-391-1854, morenode@ddc.nyc.gov
DOHMH: PressOffice@health.nyc.gov

(Brooklyn, NY – March 10, 2025) NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Thomas Foley and Dr. Michelle Morse, Acting Commissioner and Chief Medical Officer for the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), today announced that construction has begun for the new two-story Brooklyn Animal Care Center, after recent demolition of the previous building. DDC is managing the project for DOHMH, which is anticipated to be completed in fall 2026.

“This state-of-the-art, sustainable facility will serve as a humane home for animals while they wait to be partnered with future owners,” said DDC Commissioner Thomas Foley. “The $48 million building will include a medical suite, an outdoor dog run, a training area, a new parking lot for patrons, and sustainability features like high-efficiency lighting and HVAC. DDC recently completed a new pet adoption center in Manhattan and a full-service animal care center in Staten Island, and we look forward to completing work here as we push forward transforming the animal care system.”

“Our pets are our most loyal friends, bringing warmth and happiness into our lives. That’s why we're excited to share that construction of Brooklyn's new, state-of-the-art animal care center has begun,” said Acting Health Commissioner Michelle Morse. “This sustainable space will offer four-legged New Yorkers many amenities including a modern medical facility, an outdoor dog run and an adoption center along with vibrant artwork. It's an important step toward our goal of providing full-service animal shelters in every borough.”

“The new Brooklyn Animal Care Center will mark another milestone in our mission to end animal homelessness in New York City,” said Risa Weinstock, President and CEO of Animal Care Centers of NYC. “With this state-of-the-art facility joining the newly built Pet Adoption Center in Manhattan, and our full-service care centers in Queens, Staten Island, and later this year in the Bronx, we are transforming the landscape of animal welfare in New York City. We’re grateful to our city partners for investing in a more humane future for NYC’s animals.”

“The Brooklyn Animal Care Center is an essential community resource, benefiting animals and humans alike," said Director of the Mayor’s Office of Animal Welfare Alexandra Silver. "Aside from being a healthier, more enriching shelter for animals in need, this new, modern, and inviting facility will be a great place for New Yorkers to volunteer, adopt, and connect with resources to help them keep their pets. Thank you to everyone at DDC and DOHMH who are working on this project, and thank you to the staff and volunteers of Animal Care Centers of NYC for all they do for animals and their families across the five boroughs."

“We are proud to play a key role in creating a sustainable environment for the animals, staff, and all New Yorkers who will find their newest companion at this facility,” said NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services Commissioner Louis A. Molina. “With solar array shades, energy-efficient lighting, electric vehicle chargers, and more, the Brooklyn Animal Care Center is set to become the city’s latest example of excellence in sustainability, as we work citywide to secure a more resilient tomorrow for all New Yorkers.” 

The new 23,900-square-foot, two-story building will be equipped with a thru-block parking lot, benches, bike racks, and necessary administrative offices. The project will install new sidewalks and trees in front of the building, as well as planters and trees at the parking lot and entrance. The facility will also include a generator that can power the entire facility in case of a power outage. The design will allow the building to manage stormwater run-off by using permeable pavers, extensive plantings, and a rainwater collection system that harvests water for site plantings.

The facility will be able to provide necessary care to pets in need thanks to a brand-new medical suite. Additionally, an outdoor dog run on the second floor will help pets receive critical enrichment and exercise as they wait to be placed into homes.

When completed, the new Brooklyn Animal Care Center is expected to meet LEED Silver standards for environmental sustainability. The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) also allocated funding for this project to include energy conservation features. The building will prioritize sustainability through pent roof/solar array shades, solar tubes on the roof for daylight, a high-efficiency lighting system, electric-vehicle chargers, and plug load controls. The project will result in a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 34 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) and a reduction of 360 metric million British thermal units (MMBtu), per year, which is equivalent to the energy usage of 25 NYC households.

As a part of the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) Percent for Art program, the new Brooklyn Animal Care Center will feature vibrant artwork created by Olalekan Jeyifous. The artwork, named “Colorful Companions” will be integrated along the building’s façade on Linden Boulevard, rear parking lot and interiors. The proposed artwork, which earned a 2020 Public Design Commission (PDC) award, will liven up the Center and be easily visible to passing pedestrians and drivers, in an effort to draw people in.

The new Brooklyn Animal Care Center is part of DDC’s Design Excellence program and was designed by Smith-Miller + Hawkinson Architects. MPCC Corp. is handling demolition and construction. DDC also recently built the new Manhattan Pet Adoption Center and the new Staten Island Animal Care Center, while Animal Care Centers of NYC built a new Care Center in Queens. In May 2023, DDC and the NYC Health Department broke ground on a new facility in the Bronx in 2023.

About the NYC Department of Design and Construction
The Department of Design and Construction is the City’s primary capital construction project manager. In supporting Mayor Adams’ long-term vision of growth, sustainability, resiliency, equity and healthy living, DDC provides communities with new or renovated public buildings such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, and new or upgraded roads, sewers and water mains in all five boroughs. To manage this $33 billion portfolio, DDC partners with other City agencies, architects and consultants, whose experience bring efficient, innovative and environmentally-conscious design and construction strategies to City projects. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/ddc.

About the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene works to protect and promote the health of 8 million New Yorkers. With more than 200 years of leadership in public health, the agency’s work ranges from inspection grades of dining establishments to supporting low-to no-cost community health clinics. The Department is also behind the scenes with disease detectives, investigating suspicious clusters of illness as well as studying the patterns, causes and effects of health and disease conditions in New York City neighborhoods, which shape policy decisions and the City's health agenda.