Irvine Animal Care Center Renovation 

The City of Irvine is expanding and renovating the Irvine Animal Care Center to enhance animal care, improve the visitor experience, and better support staff. The project includes modernized facilities, upgraded animal housing, and improved spaces for animal care and community interaction.

Project Status: The new administration building is complete, and construction is ongoing. The entire project is expected to be completed in spring 2027.

Project Improvements

The renovation will introduce new facilities and upgrades throughout the Irvine Animal Care Center, including:

  • Modernized facilities: A new clinic building and additions to the administration building to support daily operations and animal care.
  • Improved animal housing: Refurbished kennel buildings, upgraded kennels, and improved air conditioning to enhance animal comfort.
  • Enhanced activity and interaction areas: Renovated activity yards and dedicated spaces for visitors to interact with animals.
  • Updated customer service areas: Improvements to administration and reception spaces to better serve visitors.
  • Additional gathering space: A multipurpose room to support center activities and programs.
  • Site and parking improvements: Reconfigured secured parking, a new trash enclosure, entrance modifications, and grading and drainage enhancements.

Construction and Animal Care

The Irvine Animal Care Center will remain open throughout the renovation. Staff will use temporary facilities, existing spaces, and newly completed areas to maintain operations during construction.

Temporary spaces will incorporate appropriate barriers and safety measures to protect animals and support their comfort and well-being. Animals will continue to receive care throughout the project.

Project Background

The renovation is part of a larger City initiative to improve safety, customer service, and administrative support at the shared site of the Irvine Animal Care Center, Central Bark dog park, and City Operations Support Facility near Oak Canyon and Valley Oak Drive.

The Irvine Animal Care Center project was presented to the Community & Library Services Commission on June 1, 2022. The presentation included preliminary floor plan concepts for a modernized clinic, renovated kennel buildings, additional customer and animal interaction areas, a multipurpose room, updated administrative spaces, and reconfigured parking.

The Irvine City Council approved the expansion and renovation project on August 8, 2023. The City celebrated the start of construction with a groundbreaking ceremony on August 5, 2024, bringing together City Councilmembers, staff, and volunteers to mark this investment in the center's future.

Project Video

Watch a four-minute walkthrough of the Irvine Animal Care Center renovation project and the update presented to the Community & Library Services Commission in June 2022.

Irvine Animal Care Center Walk Through

View Irvine Animal Care Center Project Update - June 1, 2022