Pets

New shelter nearly doubles Rocky Mount's capacity to help homeless animals

The Rocky Mount Police Department has opened a new animal shelter that will nearly double the city's capacity for housing homeless dogs and cats.

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Rocky Mount opens new animal shelter
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — The Rocky Mount Police Department has opened a new animal shelter that will nearly double the city's capacity for housing homeless dogs and cats.

The shelter, located at 1017 N. Church St., features kennels for 30 cats and 40 dogs. It features an outdoor area and heated and sealed floor that officials say will help prevent the spread of bacteria.

"The animals will stay nice and dry and the odors will be a lot less noticeable because the floor does not have any cracks or breaks in it," Willie Boykin, the department's animal services supervisor, said in a news release. "It does not retain odors or bacteria."

The facility also includes a large office area for animal control officers, an interaction area for prospective adoptive families, a laboratory area and a quarantine room for feral cats.

"When I came on years ago, I had a vision to change the perception of the shelter and make it more inviting. Our new animal services unit will help do that," Boykin said.

Procuring the new facility, formerly Down East Kennels, cost approximately $160,000, including $100,000 for the facility and at least $60,000 in renovations, officials said.

For more information on the new unit or to inquire about animal adoption, call 252-972-1390 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., or go online

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