One of Orlando’s most beloved animal wellness organizations has reason to be “pawsitively” 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 its $15 million Kylie J. Capri Campus and Edward H. Hensley Adoption Center, featuring a modern design with air-conditioned spaces for dogs and cats. The new building, located on South John Young Parkway near I-4, also houses double the medical space for ill or injured animals compared with its previous shelter.
The facility, which can accommodate 275 animals, is complete with quarantine spaces, outdoor “catios,” a neonatal suite for kittens, indoor dog play areas and a meeting space available for rent — with an included animal cuddle session.
Pet Alliance is celebrating the occasion by throwing a party from noon-3 p.m. Saturday with DJ entertainment, food trucks, activities and merchandise, as well as adoptable animals.
While plans for a new shelter were in the works before a 2021 fire at the organization’s previous space, that event accelerated construction.
“I don’t know if you can capture the excitement that our team has to finally be in the building and open to the community,” said Lindsay Framstead, Pet Alliance’s interim executive director. “The air-conditioned space is probably the biggest, most exciting thing in the state of Florida. It’s hot outside.”
Pet Alliance has a new $15 million, 25,000-square-foot shelter on South John Young Parkway in Orlando. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
While a majority of the $15 million required to open the new space has been raised, Pet Alliance is seeking $301,000 to ensure the shelter opens debt-free.
Following the 2021 fire that killed 17 cats, Pet Alliance opened a temporary cat shelter in Parramore. Meanwhile, the organization has continued to operate its Alafaya clinic and its Sanford shelter and clinic.
The new Orlando shelter helps expand pet adoption opportunities while opening up capacity for pet surrenders, the pet food pantry and other community services. The nonprofit helps support more than 4,000 animals per year and hopes the new facility will expand that reach to 7,000 dogs and cats annually.
Shorty is one adoptable cat at Pet Alliance’s new 25,000-square-foot shelter on South John Young Parkway in Orlando. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
“Our mission is to educate, shelter, heal and help families and pets,” Framstead said. “This building will give us the opportunity to provide resources and support to the community that maybe we haven’t been able to do, especially over the last few years.”
The Pet Alliance is Central Florida’s oldest and largest animal welfare agency, established as the Orlando Humane Society in 1937 and later becoming the SPCA of Central Florida and then renamed in 2014.
Earlier this year, Pet Alliance’s executive director, Stephen Bardy, stepped down to move for family reasons after nearly a decade of service. The organization will soon launch a search for a new leader.
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