MASON - The Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter took the dogs out for a walk today, but this time they weren’t returning to the almost 50-year-old building they were coming from.

Volunteers and staff moved the dogs, cats and other animals to the brand-new shelter located at 600 Buhl Street in Mason early this morning to get them settled into their new spaces.

The new building has two areas in the front; one for adoptions and animals leaving the building and another for drop offs. The kennels for the dogs now lets them have access to go in and out without having to rely on volunteers to take them as well as a “catio” for the cats to go outside, but still be protected by a screen.

“The building itself is just so exciting because it’s new and vibrant and not run down and everything’s just, you know, more state of the art,” said shelter volunteer and Dog Walking Club Leader Trisha Struck. “It feels like it’s a better place for us to house the animals and to have them be safe and healthy and happy here.”

Ingham County voters approved a property tax increase to fund the new shelter in August of 2016. The shelter also worked to raise additional money through fundraisers.

The new shelter will only be assisting with emergencies before it officially opens to the public on June 5th.

The shelter will have its grand opening ceremony June 14th followed by the summer Adopt-A-Fest on June 15th.