The City of St. Thomas officially opened its new Animal Services shelter at 325 Bill Martyn Parkway, announcing on July 23, 2026 that the doors were open after a June 4 ribbon-cutting ceremony. The modern facility offers more room, sunlight, and comfort for animals in need, replacing the old shelter on Burwell Road, which had operated out of a cramped concrete block building never designed for animal care.
The new shelter can house up to 60 cats and 20 dogs, more than doubling the previous capacity of about 20 cats and 10 dogs. Dog kennels now have direct access to outdoor runs, while the cat room features large windows that let in natural sunlight. Both were missing from the old location, which faced ventilation issues and had no windows for the cats.
Mayor Joe Preston, who is not seeking re-election this year, called the opening a proud moment for the community. “This new shelter reflects our commitment to providing compassionate care for animals while creating a welcoming and functional space for the dedicated team who supports them every day,” he said in a statement on the city’s website.
Planning for the facility began in 2019, led by Councillor Joan Rymal and late animal advocate Joe Spencer. A $1 million donation from Rymal’s daughter Sara Teare, co-founder of password manager company 1Password, jumpstarted fundraising in April 2022. Spencer died days after the donation was announced, knowing his shelter dream was coming true. Construction started in March 2025 after the project budget grew to just over $4 million, with Tonda Construction Limited of London handling the build.
Residents needing animal services should note that direct phone lines are still being set up at the new site. For now, calls can go through the city’s Customer Service department at 519-631-1680 — follow the prompts to be connected with Animal Services, or press 0 during business hours to speak with Customer Service. The City of St. Thomas Animal Services says the new space will improve daily care and make visits easier for adopters, volunteers, and staff.
