A brand-new, state-of-the-art animal shelter is rising at the northwest corner of Magnolia Avenue and Riverview Parkway in Santee — and county officials say it will be among the best facilities in the region when it opens later this year.
The $37 million project is being built by the San Diego County Department of Animal Services and is expected to be completed by summer 2026, according to Patch. At 23,000 square feet, the facility is designed to serve animals and residents across East and South San Diego County — an area that has long lacked a modern animal care facility.
"This will be a very nice upgrade for all of the animals and for our visitors as well," said Vaughn Maurice, director of the county's Department of Animal Services. He noted Santee was chosen for its central location within the county: "It's as central as you can be for a county that's so huge."
The new shelter will offer pet adoption, spay and neuter services, vaccinations, and basic pet wellness care for the public. It will also serve as an emergency response deployment hub — providing animal intake and care during local disasters. The facility will include secured and open courtyards, an outdoor livestock area, activity yards, and both staff and public parking.
Once the Santee location opens, the county plans to close its Bonita shelter, which has been in operation for roughly 60 years. "It's really, really outdated," Maurice said. "The facility has seen its better days in the past and it's just very expensive to keep maintaining it."
The building is being constructed to green-energy standards, which Maurice says will significantly reduce operating costs. The county will retain its existing Carlsbad shelter.
Important note for Santee residents: the new county shelter does not replace Santee's existing animal control services. The City of Santee contracts with the San Diego Humane Society for animal control, and residents should continue to call (619) 299-7012 (press 1) for issues like stray dogs or lost pets. In-person services remain at the SDHS El Cajon Campus at 1373 N Marshall Ave.
Meanwhile, the county is actively looking for volunteers and foster parents ahead of the shelter's opening. Dogs in foster homes fare significantly better than those in kennels, Maurice said. Interested residents can visit sddac.com for more information.