WASHINGTON (HUNS)—For decades, Washington, D.C. has had an animal shelter located in the NoMa neighborhood. That changes in Fall 2025.
As early as 1980, D.C. dedicated 1201 New York Ave. NE to serve as the city’s animal shelter for its over 700,000 residents. That shelter is scheduled to be demolished and a residential shelter will take its place.
The animal shelter will move from Ward 5 to 4 D.C. Village Lane SW in Ward 8. The move will accommodate the need for upgraded facilities and more space.
Although many support the city’s decision to upgrade its animal facility, some have reservations about the move, saying the new location is not as accessible. At-large D.C. Councilmember and Chairperson of the D.C. Health Committee Christina Henderson said it wasn’t even the first choice.
“D.C. Village is certainly not centralized. …We had to scramble to find a space that was available and the easiest execution was a space we already owned,” said Henderson. “I don’t think anybody would argue that this is the prime and best location.”
The District brought the Brandywine Valley Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BVSPCA) to operate all its animal care and control services in January.
BVSPCA is an animal welfare organization that has locations in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Its contract with D.C. Health, the agency charged with animal care in the district, marks its first tie to the city.
Before BVSPCA, the contract in place was with the Humane Rescue Aliance (HRA) for 45 years. The organization terminated the contract prematurely at the end of 2024. It should have extended through September 2025, Henderson said.
D.C. resident Nadia Johnson adopted her dog, Roxie, at the New York Avenue animal shelter while it was still operated by the HRA. Her and Roxie have continued returning to this location for years for free and low-cost food and veterinary care.
“[Since] I lost my job during the pandemic…they have been really good with [helping with] the food and shots,” said Johnson.
Johnson said she and Roxie have to walk 50-minutes from the Shaw neighborhood to the animal shelter.
Because Johnson takes Roxie with her, public transportation is not an option since dogs are not allowed on D.C. public transportation unconfined.
Once this location closes, if Johnson still wants to take advantage of the free resources from BVSPCA, she’ll have to walk for over three hours from the Shaw neighborhood in Ward 1 to the new shelter east of the Potomac River in Ward 8.
The New York Avenue shelter is a staple for many, regardless of contractor. BVSPCA’s Director of Marketing and Outreach Erin Johnston said many people aren’t aware that they now operate the city’s animal services. She said some residents just come by because they know this is the long-standing location.
“The previous contractor was in [this] building so people have known [it’s] the city shelter, but I don’t necessarily know they’ve put much thought behind who was operating it,” said Johnston.
D.C. Animal Services Program Manager Joy McFarlane-Mills said this move is a long time coming.
“The current animal structure is very outdated…it doesn’t have modern standards for animal welfare, public engagement [and has] poor ventilation,” said McFarlane-Mills.
She said the city is on target to have all animal care and control services available at the new facility by the end of the month, including adoptions, fostering and an animal health clinic.
The New York Avenue shelter is currently still open for animal services until the new facility opens, but they also have programs including a recent waived adoption fee weekend, a monthly free pet food pantry and skip days.
“We have a fun program called ‘Shelter Skip Day’ where you can come and take a dog out for the day. There are some people [who] may not be allowed to have a pet but they still enjoy animal companionship,” said Johnston. “They can come and take a dog…to experience all those wonderful benefits of having a pet but not make the commitment.”
Although the location move of animal services has brought some concerns and hesitations, Johnston said BVSPCA is proud of what they have done so far.
“We’re just really excited to be here in the District and to hopefully have our new facility here open soon,” said Johnston.
Myla S. Roundy covers Ward 5 for HUNewsService.com.
