Construction continues on San Diego County's new Santee Animal Shelter, as the long-awaited $37 million facility advances toward completion. Crews continue work on the site as the project moves toward service.
The 23,000-square-foot shelter sits at Riverview Parkway and Magnolia Avenue in Santee, according to Patch, and was built on county-owned land to serve East and South County residents. The public-art call specified a 5- to 6-foot sculpture for the main entry. The entry artwork came out of a public art selection process run through consultant Leah Goodwin Creations, which set artwork budgets ranging from $500 to $50,000 for high-visibility spots including the main entry plaza, according to Leah Goodwin Creations. That selection process wrapped up in spring 2025, and the public-art schedule placed installation in February-March 2026.
Construction on the shelter was scheduled to commence in June 2024, following years of planning to establish a centrally located facility for East County. The project has continued toward completion.
Replacing a Shelter Approaching Its 60th Year
The Santee facility is designed to replace the county's Bonita animal shelter, which has operated for roughly 60 years and has faced escalating maintenance costs, per the same Patch report. County officials deemed the Bonita facility structurally outdated, a major driver behind the push for a modern replacement in East County.
The new building is also designed with energy-efficient and green features.
Beyond standard kennels and cat rooms, the site includes an outdoor livestock area and is designated to function as a regional emergency deployment hub and intake site during disasters, the county notes. That capability is designated for emergency deployment and intake during disasters.
A Two-Shelter System Amid Regional Crowding
A July 2026 independent operational assessment by Team Shelter USA reviewed San Diego County's shelter operations, according to the Times of San Diego. The assessment's recommendations for Bonita and Carlsbad are not specified here.
That review landed under Dr. Brie Sarvis, who was appointed chief veterinarian and later department director in 2026 to overhaul shelter operations before Santee opens, the outlet reports. The department has also undergone management changes.
The timing adds pressure to an already strained system. The San Diego Humane Society reported dog capacity at 171 percent on August 26, 2026, according to KPBS, with the Humane Society reporting overcrowding.
Who Actually Handles Santee's Strays
Local residents should note a jurisdictional wrinkle before assuming the new shelter changes their day-to-day animal control needs. Although the facility is located within Santee, it primarily serves unincorporated areas of San Diego County. Residents should verify which agency handles stray-animal calls in their area.
