Cornwall, ON (Aug. 20, 2026) – The new Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Cornwall and Region Animal Centre and Veterinary Clinic at 2151 Second St. is taking shape as construction continues on the much-anticipated new facility.
The progress is already visible from the road, with the walls up and roof now in place, but plenty is happening behind the scenes. Crews are preparing the site for utility infrastructure, while work is also underway to prepare for installation of the in-floor heating system. The floor is expected to be poured beginning in October.
Expected to open in 2027, the new 8,000-square-foot Cornwall and Region Animal Centre and Veterinary Clinic will replace the aging Ontario SPCA facility on Boundary Road. The new facility will also feature a 1,400-square-foot charity-based veterinary clinic operated by the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.
Demand for animal services in the region continues to grow, with nearly twice as many animals entering the care of the current animal centre today compared to 2020. Animal intakes increased from 402 animals in 2020 to 797 in 2025. So far in 2026, more than 500 animals have entered the care of the existing Cornwall and Region Animal Centre. The team is maximizing every available space to help more animals, including through foster care. Adoptions are also increasing, with 65 animals adopted in July – a 48 per cent increase compared to July 2024.
“Every day, our team is finding creative ways to help more animals, even when space is limited,” says Candice Gordon, Manager, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society Cornwall and Region Animal Centre. “The new facility will give us the space and resources we need to better serve our community and continue saying yes to animals who need us.”
One recent example is Shawna, a tiny kitten found abandoned in a Cornwall bus shelter. She arrived in extremely poor condition, with both eyes severely damaged and sealed shut by infection. She was also struggling to breathe and was dangerously underweight.
Shawna received emergency veterinary care before going into foster care, where she was given the time, medication, nourishment and round-the-clock support she needed to recover. Once she was strong enough, both of her damaged eyes were surgically removed to give her the opportunity to live comfortably. Today, Shawna is recovering in foster care and preparing for her next chapter – her forever home.
Shawna’s story is one example of the critical care the Ontario SPCA provides every day – and why a larger, modern facility is so important to the future of animal welfare in Cornwall and the surrounding region.
The Ontario SPCA has now raised $6.2 million toward the $8-million project, with $1.8 million still needed to bring the new facility to life. The community is invited to lend a paw and help make this brighter future for pets and people a reality. To learn more about the Brighter Future for Pets and People campaign, visit ontariospca.ca/cornwall
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