Construction underway for new animal shelter building in Hermitage
Construction is underway in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, on a new animal shelter building.
The new Shenango Valley Animal Shelter building is expected to be three times the size of the current shelter, located at 2599 Broadway Road in Hermitage.
The current building is over capacity with all of the animals they say they have been taking in, contributing to the need for a larger building.
Devin Keeley, Manager of the Shenango Valley Animal Shelter, told 21 News that, at one point, the shelter was holding more than 40 cats, when typically the shelter will hold roughly 22 dogs comfortably.
Keeley hopes that the new facility will double the capacity for both dogs and cats.
Crews were at the site of the new building, soon to be located on Lynnwood Drive, on December 5, delivering part of the building's walls and structural pieces.
"It's overall just very overwhelming - with excitement, of course - finally seeing something being able to take place... finally [getting] to see more than just a driveway, to actually see a building coming up and seeing the capacity that we're going to be able to handle," said Keeley.
Additionally, windows and a garage door have all been ordered, alongside gas, electric and sewer services.
Construction is predicted to finish in mid-January 2026.
Keeley says that although the journey has been long and there is still work to do, she is thankful for everyone who has helped along the way.
"It's been quite a bit of work for everyone, but they've been working really hard and getting it done and putting the foot down to make sure it happened," said Keeley.
