SAN MARTIN, CA – FEBRUARY 19: Bella Donna, an Arabian horse that is available for adoption, is trotted out by Stephanie Riley and animal control officer Jessica Ibanez during the grand opening for Santa Clara County’s new Animal Services Center, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, in San Martin, Calif. The 37,000 sq. ft. facility is the only one in the region designed to handle livestock (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
Planes take off from San Martin Airport over the old Santa Clara County Animal Shelter. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN MARTIN —If animals could wear noise-canceling headphones, those awaiting adoption at Santa Clara County’s old Animal Shelter couldn’t be faulted for wanting a pair.
Located between a six-lane freeway and an airport runway since the shelter’s opening in 1978, the location of the converted house was loud enough to drown out any complaints about its location or cramped quarters.
But last Friday, the county celebrated the opening of its new — and quieter — 37,000 square foot shelter located on a nearly 8-acre, sprawling campus off Monterey Road less than a mile away.
Animal Services manager Lisa Jenkins, joined by dignitaries including Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors President Mike Wasserman, cut the ribbon to the sprawling Leed Silver Standards building with its distinctive sawtooth roof.
Supervisor Mike Wasserman. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
“I’m proud today to celebrate the grand opening of the best public animal services center in the nation,” said Wasserman, wearing a paw-print mask and a French bulldog sweatshirt.
Architecture firm Dreyfuss + Blackford says the structure was designed to mimic the lines of the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains. Planning on the project began a decade ago and took 18 months to construct.
Included in the facility is a 2,500-square foot barn with 10 stalls and pastures, making it the only shelter in the region capable of housing and rehabilitating livestock. Horses and chickens were busy Friday getting acquainted with their new digs.
The entrance to Santa Clara County’s new Animal Services Center, featuring a butterfly roof, provides shade for grand opening ceremonies, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, in San Martin, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) 
Jeremy Selbach, operations manager for Santa Clara County’s Animal Services Center, walks a dog at the new 37,000 square foot facility, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, in San Martin, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) 
Dogs in an indoor park area of Santa Clara County’s new Animal Services Center eye leash-carrying staff walking the halls (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) 
Jeremy Selbach feeds Bella Donna, an adoptable Arabian horse living at the new facility. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) 
The community room at Santa Clara County’s new Animal Services Center contains hydraulic doors that open to the east, and has room to host 300 people. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) 
Front desk personnel work at Santa Clara County’s new Animal Services Center. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) 
Pete, a hound abandoned along the freeway by the CHP, recuperates at the Animal Services Center, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, after having a leg amputated. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) 
Lisa Jenkins, Santa Clara County Animal Services manager, holds up Reyna, a resident bunny awaiting a new home at the Animal Services Center. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) 
Jeremy Selbach, operations manager for Santa Clara County’s Animal Services Center, visits felines in the cat social room. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) 
Lelan, a chihuahua with rear leg troubles, exercises after being fitted with wheels by Dr. Elizabeth Kather at Santa Clara County’s new Animal Services Center. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) 
Santa Clara County opens their new 37,000 sq. ft. Animal Services Center, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, in San Martin, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group) 
Meanwhile, back at the old abandoned shelter, Highway 101 traffic continues whizzing by a dog sculpture, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, in San Martin, Calif. A new facility was opened less than a mile away with double the capacity. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
The center is at 12425 Monterey Road in San Martin and is open seven days a week.
