Rancho Coastal Humane Society in Encinitas will celebrate the grand opening of Charlotte’s Medical Center, Vivian’s Learning Center, Brock’s Community Pet Food Bank, and the newly-renovated Adoption Center on Oct. 25 and 26.
On Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to noon, RCHS will host a soft opening for major stakeholders, City and County officials, and animal welfare leaders.
The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. and is an invitation-only event to include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tours of the new facilities, and (of course) introduction of some adoptable animals.
On Oct. 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rancho Coastal Humane Society will host a grand opening festival and will include a Kid’s Zone, Food and Drinks, Live Music, Beer Garden, Trick-or-Treating, and booths with pet-related items for sale. Admission is free.
Guests are encouraged to RSVP in advance at www.sdpets.org/events to be entered into an opportunity drawing.
Rancho Coastal Humane Society was founded in 1960 in “the Little Yellow House” that still serves as its Adoption Center. The shelter was surrounded by pastures, livestock, and wildlife. The only access was a dirt road that ran up the hill from the Pacific Coast Highway or another dirt road along the west side that later became Interstate 5.
The state-of-the-art Medical Center is more than 5,000 square feet, including dedicated space for the Animal Safehouse Program.
The Learning Center is more than 2,000 square feet, with a capacity for more than 200 people for education and training seminars and community events. The old Education Center had a capacity of 45.
The Community Pet Food Bank, which began as a lean-to on the side of the main building, will grow to 770 square feet.
The Welcome Center is expanding by 275 square feet.
The new Canine Training office is 455 square feet.
RCHS President and CEO Judi Sanzo said, “Thanks to the new Medical Center, Learning Center, Pet Food Bank, Adoption Center, and training space, we will expand our programs and serve more than twice as many companion animals.”
Rancho Coastal Humane Society remains open during construction at 389 Requeza Street in Encinitas. For more information visit www.sdpets.org.
