ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Nearly four years following a fire that destroyed its original shelter, Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando is making notable strides on its new facility, with construction teams currently concentrating on roofing installation.
“Behind us today, we are doing all the decking for the roof,” said Steve Bardy, executive director of Pet Alliance. “The decking is the initial layer. If you look at the building and see all the dark spots, that means the decking is up, and the light spots show where it’s still going.”
The installation of the roof represents the newest phase in a three-year endeavor to reconstruct the shelter, which will encompass 25,000 square feet and offer expanded space to support more animals in finding their forever homes.
News 6 has followed Pet Alliance’s journey from the devastating fire in 2021 to the placement of new walls and now the construction of the roof. Bardy said each phase of the project brings its own unique highlights.
“There are things people don’t see that make it a really cool space. We are adding UV lights in addition to the AC units to make sure we are staying clean and germ free.” Bardy said. “Every step offers its own unique kind of highlight and perspective.”
The new roof features built-in insulation, designed to reduce noise from nearby John Young Parkway and minimize sound between animal areas, helping create a calmer environment for both cats and dogs.
While the rebuild has been a long process, Bardy is optimistic about the timeline.
“Everything is moving along,” Bardy said. “We’ve met all of our deadlines and timeframes, and so we’re on track. That’s why I’m pretty confident in saying, in about 250 days, we’ll be opening this building.”
Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando expects to welcome the community to its new shelter by February 2026.
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