It’s been a long time coming for animal lovers across Guilford County, but the moment is finally here.

The county is shutting down the dilapidated Animal Shelter at 4525 W. Wendover Ave. and opening up the brand new, shiny shelter at 980 Guilford College Road in Greensboro.   The old shelter will be closed permanently on Monday, Oct. 25.

To facilitate the relocation of the animals, the old shelter will be closed to the public from Sunday, Oct. 10 thru Tuesday, Oct. 12 and again from Sunday, Oct. 17 until Tuesday, Oct. 19.

The new shelter will be open to the public starting on Monday, Nov. 1.

Those interested in scheduling adoption visits can go to https://www.guilfordcountync.gov/our-county/animal-services.

County officials have started referring to the Animal Shelter as the “Guilford County Animal Resource Center.” However, people will no doubt continue to just call it the “Animal Shelter.” (The county’s two jails have fancy names too and they are just called the Greensboro jail and the High Point jail by almost everyone.)

During the transition, Guilford County Animal Control will continue to respond to priority calls.  The department can be reached at 336-641-5990, or, after 5 p.m., by calling 911.

Guilford County Animal Services is hosting the annual “Empty the Shelters” event – a week-long adoption event – at its 4525 W. Wendover location, from Monday, Oct. 4 thru Friday, Oct. 8 from noon to 4 p.m.  During the week, the shelter offers a “name-your-price” adoption special for those who want dogs and cats.

The announcement celebrating the opening of the new shelter provides a concise history of the new shelter effort: “Guilford County began construction of the new shelter facility in June of 2020, noting at the time that it has been 70 years since our community invested significantly in the welfare of the unwanted, neglected, and abused animals. The County’s Animal Services team will be relocating from its 1930’s facility which saw additions made in the 1950’s and later into the 1980’s into a new 33,000 square-foot facility. The new Guilford County Animal Resource Center highlights state of the art medical facilities, including a spay and neuter suite, surgery prep areas, and an animal ICU. The new shelter is designed to adjust to fluctuations in animal populations and can house up to 550 animals, if needed, and will dramatically improve efficiencies in the care of the animals.”