New City Shelter Puts on the Dog

After waiting more than two years, dogs, cats and rabbits now have a permanent place to rest their paws.

Over the weekend, more than 50 animals were moved from the San Clemente Animal Shelter into a new 6,300-square-foot facility that will serve as the animal shelter for both San Clemente and Dana Point.

The pro-humane shelter, which is capable of caring for a wide variety of animals, includes 48 dog runs, three cat condos, heated floors, partially covered kennels, three large exercise areas and easy-to-clean floors, said shelter general manager Michelle Stearns.

“Everyone was thrilled and had smiles on their faces,” Stearns said of the move. “In the new facility, the animals will be a lot safer and exposed to sunlight.”

San Clemente had been without a permanent animal shelter since 1993, when storm damage forced the shelter to move to a temporary warehouse facility.

According to Kumi Johnson, central services manager for San Clemente, the city had bought land for the new shelter but could not afford to build the facility.

That changed last year when Dana Point agreed to a joint use plan under which operating costs would be divided.

With Dana Point on board and nearly $400,000 in cash, goods and services from Friends of San Clemente Animals and Animal Rescue Foundation of Dana Point, San Clemente was able to pay the balance of construction costs, around $600,000, and build the shelter.

“It’s so exciting, the volunteers have wanted it for so long,” Johnson said. “It was a total community effort.”

The new shelter, at 535 Avenida Fabricante in San Clemente, is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.

Information: (714) 492-1617.