Dirt-digging Dog To Lead Animal Shelter Groundbreaking In S. Bay

SAN MARTIN, CA — Leave it to Santa Clara County to bring a special dignitary for a groundbreaking of Animal Services new digs.

Bowser, "the dirt-digging dog," will lead the ceremony with his unique skills at the site of the local government's proposed shelter at 80 Highland Ave in San Martin on Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Oh, and by the way, a few county representatives will be on hand as well:

• Mike Wasserman, county supervisor
• Miguel Márquez, county chief operating officer
• Sylvia Gallegos, county deputy executive...

...with animal advocates and adopters.

A rescued horse, cow, kittens and rabbits also line a parade of animals the county is proud to care for, with of course many dogs like Bowser.

The current shelter is a former San Martin residence that's 490 years old in dog years and lacks many amenities necessary in a modern animal facility. Nearly 4,000 animals are cared for each year in the current location, and the construction for the new facility will double its size to gain some breathing room.

Ranked California's best public animal shelter with a current 94.3 percent live-release rate, the county’s Animal Services Department makes a point of only using euthanasia for terminally ill or dangerous animals. The shelter is an open admission shelter, meaning all animals are accepted from county service areas regardless of temperament and condition.