Designing Pawsitive Change for Wake County

How the New Wake County Animal Center Expands Care, Capacity, and Community Support

Yesterday, the Wake County Board of Commissioners officially approved to move forward with the new Wake County Animal Center. The decision was driven by the existing facility’s capacity limits, and health and safety concerns. In partnership with Wake County, RND Architects and specialty animal care consultant Animal Arts guided the design of this community-focused center.

The new Animal Center will be located at the intersection of Auburn-Knightdale Road and Battle Bridge Road in east Raleigh. The facility will feature 56,400 square feet of interior space and 8,000 square feet of exterior dog kennels. It will allow the facility to house up to 265 dogs and 184 cats and small animals, more than doubling the County’s current capacity for dogs and significantly increasing space for cats and small animals.

Designed with animals and people in mind, the project integrates modern animal care best practices with a strong commitment to supporting the community. Throughout the design process, RND and Animal Arts worked closely with the County staff to ensure the facility responds to operational needs while creating a welcoming environment for adopters, volunteers, staff, and furry friends.

Highlights Include:

Larger, quieter, safer kennels: reduce stress, keeping animals calm
Separated HVAC zones: minimize the spread of viruses, supporting animal health
Double-sided kennels: provide safer handling of dogs and more efficient cleaning practices for staff
Welcoming adoption areas: warm, homier spaces with meet-and-greet rooms for families to connect with their furever pets
On-site community veterinary clinic: provide vaccinations, spay and neuter procedures, and wellness exams
Expanded foster and volunteer spaces: support staff and volunteers to better serve community needs
Scenic walking trail around the existing pond: enrichment for dogs and a functional amenity for volunteers
Sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems: enhance building resiliency, reduce environmental impact, and support long-term performance

With these improvements, the new Wake County Animal Center will serve as a hub for animal care, volunteer engagement, and community support, setting a new standard for how the County cares for its animals and its residents. RND is honored to be a part of a project that will have a lasting, pawsitive impact on the Wake County community for years to come.