New Town Of Islip Animal Shelter On Track To Open In 2021

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — The new Town of Islip animal shelter in Central Islip is set to be completed next year. Despite the NY Pause executive order during the COVID-19 public health crisis. the construction of the nearly 18,000 square-foot facility on Carleton Avenue has been considered essential throughout the pandemic and should be open by early 2021.

"The Town’s existing animal shelter is outdated, and was built more than 50 years ago," Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter. "This new facility will provide the space and state-of-the-art technology needed to care for the health and safety of the animals until they are adopted out to their forever homes."

Photo courtesy of the Town of Islip

The new facility will offer four viewing rooms, 82 kennel spaces, improved heating, ventilation and air conditioning, a more spacious lobby area for visitors, a surgical room and a separate area for aggressive animals. The entire building is ADA compliant.

"It is exciting and comforting to know that the much-needed Town of Islip Animal Shelter continues to move toward completion," Town of Islip DEC Commissioner, Marty Bellew said.

Barring any construction related delays, the facility is on track to open in early 2021. Funding assistance for the $9 million shelter was made available through SAM grants. Grants included a $500,000 grant secured by Senators Phil Boyle, another $50,000 grant secured by Tom Croci and $498,200 through the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets.