A new operational assessment of San Diego County Animal Services recommends changes that could affect the county's future Santee Animal Care Shelter, according to East County Magazine.

The assessment, prepared by Team Shelter USA, recommends the county continue operating both the Carlsbad and Santee shelters after the Santee facility opens, while closing the aging Bonita shelter. East County Magazine reported that the consultants concluded a two-shelter model would better serve the county than consolidating operations into Santee alone.

The report also urges the county to address staffing, volunteer recruitment, operational procedures and facility design issues before opening the Santee shelter. County officials expect the facility, located at Riverview Parkway and Magnolia Avenue, to be completed after Labor Day 2026, according to the report cited by East County Magazine.

For Santee residents, the recommendations matter because the new shelter is intended to serve much of eastern San Diego County. The facility is planned for daily sheltering and adoptions, animal intake during disasters, emergency response deployment and affordable pet wellness services.

The assessment also recommends changes to how the department handles community cats and found dogs, including neighborhood-based reunification efforts. East County Magazine reported that the full Team Shelter USA report is available through the San Diego County Department of Animal Services website.