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King County announces the purchase of a property in Kent for a new animal shelter.
King County has purchased a building that will be the new animal shelter and headquarters for Regional Animal Services. The facility, located at 5920 S 194th St. in Kent, is slated to open in 2027 and will replace the current aging pet adoption center.
The new location will have an improved, more efficient layout, allowing RASKC to continue implementing modern animal shelter best practices. It will also improve the pet adoption experience with upgraded kennel spaces and more room for meeting potential new pets.
The site is about two miles away from the current shelter and by West Valley Highway, I-5, and the Green River Trail, ensuring convenient access to RASKC services.
"This new, modern shelter strengthens King County's role as a national model for compassionate animal care," said King County Executive Shannon Braddock. "Thank you to the staff and volunteers who give thousands of cats, dogs, and other animals a second chance by helping them find their forever homes."
“We're excited about the possibilities this new location will bring," said Tim Anderson, manager of Regional Animal Services. "This new facility will strengthen our ability to care for animals as they wait for new homes, and help them thrive in a comfortable, modern environment. It also allows us to continue providing the high level of compassionate, cost-effective service that residents across King County expect and deserve."
A study commissioned by King County in 2023 found that the current facility is functionally obsolete. Planning for a replacement started later that year, and the funding to purchase and renovate a new site was allocated in the county's 2025 budget.
King County will begin renovations later this summer. Converting the existing warehouse and offices into a modern animal shelter is expected to take about 18 months.
Regional Animal Services of King County was created in 2010 to improve animal welfare, in partnership with over two dozen cities. With 45 employees and an active volunteer team of more than 500 people, RASKC serves over one million residents living in 24 cities, as well as unincorporated King County.
In 2024, King County found homes for 3,440 dogs, cats, and other animals, and reunited 744 missing pets with their families. Animal control officers also responded to nearly 5,000 calls to protect the health, safety, and welfare of people and pets.
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