Groundbreaking Ceremony October 8th, 2024
Charles County has broken ground on a much-needed new animal shelter, replacing the 60-year-old facility in Hughesville. The new 22,000-square-foot shelter is located on Piney Church Road.
Elected and county officials were present at the groundbreaking ceremony, including Acting County Administrator Deborah Hall, Director of Emergency Services Michelle Lilly, and Commissioner Amanda Stewart. Each took the podium to express their enthusiasm for the new shelter. Michelle Lilly emphasized the shelter’s importance, calling it “a win for the community,” while Deborah Hall noted it was “more than bricks and mortar” and a testament to teamwork. Commissioner Amanda Stewart encouraged residents to spread the word about adopting animals from the new facility, which promises to bring much-needed improvements to the area.
The new shelter will serve about 300 animals, including dogs, cats, livestock, and small animals. This state-of-the-art facility will be a much-needed upgrade with features like an education room, walking trails, soundproofing, and advanced climate control to provide comfort to all the animals. The construction is anticipated to be complete in mid-2026, according to Jeffrey Thomas, Chief of Animal Control.
