Charles County is constructing a new Animal Care Center at 5690 Piney Church Road in Waldorf to replace its existing facility, which has served the community for more than 60 years. The approximately 22,000-square-foot center will expand the County’s capacity to shelter and care for stray, sick, injured, and unwanted animals while providing improved spaces for adoption, veterinary services, community education, and Animal Control operations.
The facility will consist of two connected buildings, a Main Wing and a Dog Wing. Planned features include 60 dog kennels, 95 cat cages, small-animal holding areas, community cat rooms, an enclosed outdoor “catio,” indoor meet-and-greet spaces, a livestock barn and paddock, and educational rooms. A medical clinic with a surgery suite will allow the center to provide additional veterinary care, including spay and neuter services, on site.
The project also includes extensive site improvements, including mass grading, paved ingress and egress, two parking lots, storm drainage infrastructure, stormwater management facilities, water and sanitary sewer service, site lighting, and a dog-walking path. During early site preparation, geotechnical testing identified unsuitable soils below the anticipated subgrade. Approximately 15,000 cubic yards of material required removal and replacement to provide stable conditions for the new facility.
DFI is providing construction inspection and documentation services for the project. DFI’s inspector monitors both site and building construction, including grading and utilities, foundations, the building envelope, interior finishes, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing installations. Work is reviewed against the approved plans, project specifications and special provisions, applicable building codes, and Charles County Standards and Specifications for Construction.
Through careful field observation and detailed documentation, DFI is helping Charles County deliver a safe, durable, and functional facility that will strengthen animal care services and serve residents, staff, volunteers, and animals for years to come.
