St. Charles County, Missouri, has announced plans to open a second pet adoption center in Lake St. Louis. Currently, the county operates a pet adoption center in St. Peters, which has undergone several expansions to accommodate the increasing number of animals in need of care. However, according to Sara Evers, acting director of the St. Charles County Department of Public Health, the current facility is nearing capacity, housing about 70 dogs alongside other animals, with an additional 200 pets in foster care.
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The new center is slated to be constructed at the National Equestrian Center Park and is designed to house approximately 800 animals. Evers highlighted that the expansion would not only provide more shelter but also allow for the growth of programs such as feral cat sterilization and low-cost spaying and neutering services for residents. The animal food pantry, which currently serves around 16 families in the county, will also benefit from the new center.
Katie Willis, division director, noted the importance of the pantry in helping families maintain their pets during financial hardship by providing food donations. Evers explained that an increase in remote work, a surge in stray animals, and financial strains have led to more animals being surrendered to shelters.
In August, the St. Charles County Council approved $215,000 for civil engineering and $927,000 for architectural and engineering services for the new facility. Evers mentioned that these funds are sourced from the park tax, which county residents already contribute. The groundbreaking for the second pet adoption center is expected to take place within the next year, with an anticipated opening date in 2028.