Dayton Opens New Animal Shelter

The city's new facility on Waco Street will house up to 32 dogs indoors and operates under the Dayton Police Department.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Dogs

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The City of Dayton opened a new animal shelter at 2111 Waco St., directly behind the Dayton Police Department on North Cleveland Street. The approximately 3,300-square-foot facility was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Trinity Valley Chamber of Commerce on November 4, 2026.

Why it matters

The shelter gives Dayton a dedicated facility for stray and surrendered animals, replacing reliance on existing city property arrangements. Its construction was funded through certificates of obligation approved by the Dayton City Council in 2023 as part of the city's $8 million funding package.

The shelter is approximately 3,300 square feet with indoor kennel capacity for about 32 dogs and outdoor kennels for surge periods, built at a cost of roughly $800,000. The city has not yet resolved legal questions that would determine whether volunteers can help staff the facility.

The players

Danyell Trousdale

Trousdale is one of two animal control officers staffing the new Dayton shelter.

Makayla Darbonne

Darbonne is one of two animal control officers staffing the new Dayton shelter.

Dayton Police Department

The Dayton Police Department oversees animal control operations and is located directly beside the new shelter on North Cleveland Street.

Trinity Valley Chamber of Commerce

The Trinity Valley Chamber of Commerce co-hosted the ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the shelter's opening.

The details

The shelter was built on property the city already owned, and staffed by two animal control officers, Danyell Trousdale and Makayla Darbonne. Initial public hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the facility is designed to be expanded in the future.

2023: Dayton City Council approved certificates of obligation to fund the shelter.
Friday, Nov. 4, 2026: Ribbon-cutting ceremony held to celebrate completion.
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Initial public operating hours.

Roadmap

The shelter was delivered under the 2023 certificates of obligation approved by the Dayton City Council as one component of the city's $8 million improvement package. Its completion marks the physical realization of that financing decision three years later.

Dayton residents who find stray dogs or need to surrender a pet now have a city-run facility with a defined daily schedule of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Potential volunteers should note that the city has not yet confirmed whether volunteer assistance will be allowed.

The takeaway

Residents seeking to surrender or retrieve a dog in Dayton should plan visits during the shelter's weekday operating hours. Checking with animal control before visiting is advisable while hours and volunteer policies are still being finalized.