About the Project
The first sod has been turned and construction is underway on the long-awaited Muswellbrook Animal Care Facility– a multi-purpose facility in Sydney Street which will also include a range of community venues.
The Animal Care Facility Concept Design and Master Plan will provide community and environmental sustainability programs, responsible pet ownership and healthy lifestyle options. It promotes the combined use of space to provide the community with an attractive multi-purpose amenity focusing on the benefits of responsible pet ownership and wellbeing.
The facility is being created through a number of planned stages including:
- the construction of a new best practice Animal Shelter
- the relocation of the existing Sustainability Hub, including the existing community garden
- retail space, meeting spaces and community rooms
- a proposed nursery
- an off-leash dog park
A key objective of the centrally located facility is to foster improved pet ownership through inclusion of affordable companion animal boarding kennels, pet grooming, training and access to healthy pet products.
The site was chosen to be more accessible and noticeable to the public with one of the key objectives to increase re-homing rates by local adoption. The new shelter has been in the works for several years and is set to become the centre point for animal care throughout the region with the design bringing together a range of services into one location.
Muswellbrook Animal Care Facility Architectural Plans
Project Update 25/07/2023
Councillors and staff toured the almost-completed Animal Care Facility & Sustainability Hub today. With preparations nearing their final stages, staff will soon move in and arrange the space. Following this, the official opening of the facility will be scheduled.
Project Update 20/10/2023
The official opening and open day, including guided tours, will be held on Friday 27 October from 10am-11.30am. All welcome – book your guided tour on arrival.
The official opening of Muswellbrook’s new animal care building on October 27 will also offer the community an opportunity to view the multi-purpose building – and surrounding sustainability and garden area – before the building’s staff and four-legged residents move in.
Whilst the sustainability team have settled in, and the community garden is up and running, the animals and staff will transition into the new facility over the coming weeks. All functions at the Animal Care Facility, including animal surrenders, adoptions and releases, will continue to be by appointment only.
