In the red, shelter will close
Animal league cites a growing deficit
In a move that has surprised many people, the Animal Rescue League of Boston says it plans to close its Pembroke Animal Care and Adoption Center on Route 53 and sell the 9-acre property in May, less than five years after opening the $7 million facility.
Officials at the organization said they must sell the facility, considered one of the best animal shelters in the country, or work out a lease with a tenant to get their financial numbers back into the black. The adoption center will remain open until May 1. After that, any animals left will be relocated to the remaining league shelters in Boston, Dedham, and Brewster.
The nonprofit's decision to shutter the 18,000-square-foot, specially designed shelter and grounds came as a shock to area residents, animal advocates, and town officials. Hilary P. Wilson, chairman of Pembroke's Board of Selectmen, said he didn't see it coming. He first learned about it in a local newspaper.
"This was out of the blue," he said.
"What a shame," said Abington resident Ellen Coe, one of dozens of animal lovers in the area who donated money for the shelter project. "I mean, who would buy such a place? It's such a unique building. I'm sad that it's closing. . . . But, if that's what it takes to keep the organization afloat, then I guess it's probably the right thing to do."
The shelter opened in 2002 and cost approximately $7 million to build. It was designed by Shelter Planners of America, a group of architects who specialize in facilities for animals. The Georgian-style building features glassed-in interior kennels designed to reduce noise from barking, large exercise runs, cat "condominiums," operating rooms, and grooming facilities. Sixteen employees work at the facility, helped by volunteers.
Meredith & Grew, a Boston-based real estate firm, is handling the sale of the property, which includes the shelter and a caretaker's house , according to league spokesman Christopher Smalley. The league has no plans to sell the adjoining 60-acre nature sanctuary and dog walk, which will remain open to the public, he said.
Meredith & Grew will begin marketing the property in May, after the shelter is vacated. The site would be attractive to tenants who provide services for animals -- such as a veterinary group or another animal shelter -- but could easily be converted into a senior center, medical offices, or day-care center, said James L. Elcock, an executive vice president at the real estate firm.
Early supporters of the shelter, like Coe, had contributed money to the project by buying $100 engraved bricks that line the front walkway of the facility. Many of these bricks are dedicated to deceased pets, which will be saved for a memorial walkway at the sanctuary and dog walk, according to the League.
Animal shelter architects from all over the country have visited the Pembroke shelter, which has served as a model for other modern animal facilities, said Bill Meade of Shelter Planners of America, the lead architect who designed the facility. It "has been recognized as one of the best shelters of that size in the country," he said.
The league blames the market downturn in 2001 for its recent financial woes, and says its endowment lost an estimated $20 million between 2002 and 2006. If losses continued at that rate, officials said, the endowment, which currently stands at $80 million, could be depleted in 13 years. The league had a $1.6 million operating deficit in 2006, and a $2.5 million deficit was forecast for this year, said Smalley.
League president Jay Bowen made the plan to shut down the Pembroke Animal Care and Adoption Center official in an announcement on its website.
"After careful consideration and long-term review of services and finances, we will close our Pembroke facility to preserve and direct this 108-year old organization," Bowen stated. "We have made this very difficult decision after a year-long strategic planning process which underscored the need for more operational mobility to meet new League initiatives and growing public demand."
It's not the first time the league has put its real estate on the market. The organization closed its Salem animal shelter in 2003, then scrapped plans to build a new shelter in Ipswich. It has also been looking to sell its Boston headquarters, on Chandler Street in the South End, to a developer who would build a state-of-the-art animal shelter with pet-friendly condominiums above it. Under that plan, the league would keep its administrative offices on the site.
Smalley said the league is reviewing a memorandum of understanding proposed by one developer.
There are no plans to close the league's other facilities, he said. The Pembroke center is the largest of its shelters, which "does make it more costly to run," said Smalley.
Bowen became president of the Animal Rescue League of Boston in December 2005 following the retirement of its longtime president, Arthur G. Slade. Slade, who headed the organization for more than 40 years, said he was aware the Pembroke shelter was being shut down, but declined to comment further.
"I have nothing to do with the league anymore," he said.
Smalley said the league is shifting its focus toward expanding its mobile animal services, and is formulating a plan to ensure future financial stability.
"The building is closing, but we are committed to providing our services throughout the South Shore." He said pet obedience classes will still be offered in the area, and spay and neutering services will be provided on wheels.
The league also plans to use a $50,000 grant from the American Humane Association on a vehicle to provide mobile adoptions, he said.
Meanwhile, adoption hours at the Pembroke facility will start an hour earlier on Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The center is also open Tuesdays through Fridays from 2 to 6 p.m.; it is closed Sundays and Mondays.
"Our goal is to adopt out all adoptable animals between now and the time we close," said Smalley.
Emily Sweeney can be reached at esweeney@globe.com. 