County Animal Services will open its new Santee Animal Shelter on Oct. 15, according to the San Diego County News Center. The facility at 452 Riverview Parkway will replace the county's Bonita shelter, which will permanently close as sheltering operations move to Santee.

The county says the new building includes larger divided dog kennels, cattery spaces with improved ventilation and natural light, dedicated medical and surgical suites, isolation and quarantine areas, outdoor play yards, enrichment areas, an adoption lounge and expanded parking.

Ahead of the move, County Animal Services is asking people to adopt or foster pets currently housed at the Bonita shelter to reduce stress on animals during the transition. The county will continue operating its Carlsbad shelter in North County.

For Santee residents, the important detail is what does not change: the city will continue contracting with San Diego Humane Society for animal control services. Residents should still contact the Humane Society for stray animals, barking complaints or lost pets, while the new county shelter will serve residents in unincorporated areas.