There’s a reason one of Orlando’s most beloved animal welfare organizations is “couldn’t help but be” excited about the opening of a brand new 25,000 square foot shelter.
After more than a year of construction, Pet Alliance is cutting the ribbon on the $15 million Kylie J. Capri Campus and Edward H. Hensley Adoption Center, which features a modern design with air-conditioned spaces for dogs and cats. The new building, located on South John Young Parkway near Interstate 4, also houses twice the medical space for sick and injured animals compared to the previous shelter.
The 275-animal facility includes isolation spaces, an outdoor “catio,” a neonatal room for kittens, an indoor dog play area, rental meeting space, and includes animal cuddle sessions.
Pet Alliance will celebrate the occasion with a party featuring DJ entertainment, food trucks, activities and merchandise, as well as adoptable animals, from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Plans for the new shelter had been in the works before a fire broke out in the organization’s previous space in 2021, but the event accelerated construction.
“I don’t know if you can understand the excitement that our team has to finally get into the building and open it up to the community,” said Lindsey Flamstead, interim executive director of Pet Alliance. “The air-conditioned space is probably the largest and most exciting place in the state of Florida. It’s hot outside.”
Most of the $15 million needed to open the new space has been raised, but Pet Alliance is seeking $301,000 to open the shelter debt-free.
Pet Alliance has opened a temporary cat shelter in Parramore following the 2021 fire that killed 17 cats. Meanwhile, the organization continues to operate a clinic in Alafaya and a shelter and clinic in Sanford.
Orlando’s new shelter will help expand pet adoption opportunities while expanding the availability of pet surrenders, pet food pantries, and other community services. The nonprofit organization helps support more than 4,000 animals a year and hopes the new facility will expand to reach 7,000 dogs and cats a year.
“Our mission is to educate, protect, heal and help families and pets,” Flamstead said. “This building gives us an opportunity to provide resources and support to the community that we probably haven’t been able to, especially over the past few years.”
Pet Alliance is Central Florida’s oldest and largest animal welfare organization, founded in 1937 as the Orlando Humane Society, then the SPCA of Central Florida, and renamed in 2014.
Earlier this year, Pet Alliance Executive Director Steven Vardy resigned after nearly a decade with the company to relocate for family reasons. The organization will soon begin a search for a new leader.
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