Marion County officials have pushed back the projected opening date of the new animal shelter currently under construction in west Ocala in order to incorporate “important enhancements” to the facility.
The new Marion County Animal Services center, located at 6405 W. Highway 40 just north of the Ocala International Airport, was originally scheduled to open in December. Officials now say they are planning for an opening in spring 2026.
“As construction moved forward, we made the intentional decision to take a little more time to add important enhancements that will directly improve the well-being of the animals in our care and the team who cares for them,” reads a statement from the county.
The upgrades include additions to each kennel for improved sanitation and fully climate-controlled kennel spaces to create a “healthier, more comfortable environment year-round,” according to the county.
Officials say they believe the extra time will result in a shelter that better serves the community for years to come.
The county broke ground at the site in west Ocala in October 2024. The $22 million project is designed to replace the old shelter on SE 66th Street with a long-term, scalable solution.
The new multi-building facility will feature larger kennels, an expanded surgical suite, and multiple play areas for animals.
The scale of the new operation is significantly larger than the current facility as well. The land area for the shelter is increasing from two to 20 acres, and the total building space will increase from just over 21,000 square feet to over 37,000 square feet. Additionally, the clinical area will expand from 144 square feet to 2,017 square feet.
The path to the new West Ocala location began in 2021 as demand for services grew.
The county explored several locations, including a donated 137-acre farm in Citra, but that plan was abandoned following resident opposition and zoning challenges. The current 20-acre parcel was selected after reviewing alternative sites offered by the donor of the Citra property.