New Animal Care & Adoption Center to increase ARL’s ability to provide critical services

 On Tuesday,  the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) took a major step forward in the organization’s vision for the future, by breaking ground on its new Animal Care & Adoption Center in Boston, located in the South End neighborhood ARL has called home since 1956.

While a fixture in Boston’s South End for nearly seven decades, the current Animal Care & Adoption Center no longer meets the standard of care our animals deserve and severely limits the organization’s ability to evolve and adapt to the needs of animals and pet owners – not only today, but for decades into the future.

The special groundbreaking ceremony included a number of local and state elected officials, including Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, as well as those directly involved with making this vision a reality.

The new state-of-the-art, three-story facility will enable ARL to provide animals with the highest standards of care to help them heal and thrive, remain accessible with a central location near public transit, and cement ARL’s role as the leading resource for pets and pet owners within the City of Boston.

The new building will feature: 

  • An Animal Care & Adoption Center
  • Shelter & Community Veterinary Hospital
  • A hub of support services for pet owner services
  • Boston Veterinary Care, ARL’s outpatient veterinary clinic
  • A center for dog training classes
  • Flagship location for ARL’s Humane Education Program
  • Infrastructure for ARL to adapt to the current and future needs of animals and pet owners

Construction of the approximately $48 million facility is slated to begin in late spring 2025, with completion expected in 2026. Importantly, there will be no disruption to ARL’s services during construction, as the existing Animal Care and Adoption Center will remain fully operational.

The exterior design of the new facility, created by Boston-based JGE Architecture + Design (JGE), will seamlessly blend with the South End’s distinctive architecture.

Animal Arts, a Colorado-based firm dedicated to the design of animal care facilities, is the Architect of Record for the project and is working with ARL to ensure that every aspect of this world-class facility aligns with the organization’s mission to be an unwavering champion for animals in need.

As Construction Managers, Commodore Builders is overseeing every phase of the project — from preconstruction planning to on-site execution — to ensure a seamless and efficient build. 

“Our new facility isn’t just a building; it’s a symbol for our commitment to animals and the people who love them,” stated ARL President and CEO Dr. Edward Schettino. “The new, world-class Animal Care & Adoption Center will provide animals with the highest standards of care for generations.”

“Designing a facility that honors ARL’s deep roots in the South End while supporting its critical mission was a responsibility we embraced wholeheartedly,” said JGE President and Founder Jonathan Garland. “Our goal was to create an exterior that feels both timeless and forward-looking—one that integrates seamlessly with the neighborhood’s historic charm while providing a welcoming, modern space for animals and the people who care for them.”

“The Animal Arts team is excited to see ARL’s dream of a facility that reflects their commitment to animal welfare come to life and we look forward to seeing the new building, and all the services it will house, strengthen ARL’s support for Boston’s animals and their human caretakers,” said Sarah Boman, Principal with Animal Arts. “We are honored to play a role this historic moment for ARL.”

“The work that the Animal Rescue League does in helping animals in need is awe-inspiring, and we are honored to be part of such a special project with them,” said Commodore Builders Project Executive Paul Maneen.

ARL would additionally like to thank all of its internal and external partners including ARL’s Foundation for the Future Steering Committee, The Strategy Group, QPD, the City of Boston, the South End Landmark District Commission, among many others, who helped the organization make this vision a reality.