ISLE OF WIGHT—Plans to construct a new “adoption friendly” animal shelter in Isle of Wight County are moving forward.

The county Board of Supervisors voted Thursday night to enter into an agreement with Martin Horn Inc., a contractor in Charlottesville, to build the facility for $953,250.

Construction is expected to begin on Monday, Oct. 11, and be completed by June 7.

The new shelter will be built on Poor House Road, at the site of the existing facility.

Isle of Wight spokesman Don Roberston said the new facility would significantly increase the county’s capacity to shelter animals in need of adoption. The facility will have 36 indoor-outdoor kennels, three double indoor-outdoor kennels and 30 cages in the cat adoption room.

“The new shelter will also provide a significant improvement in the conditions and environment of the animals housed in the shelter, in terms of ventilation and accommodations,” Robertson said in a written statement Friday. “The building design is intended to encourage animal adoption and features a lobby area with get-acquainted rooms.”

Teresa Chagrin, animal control and care specialist for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said she was pleased by the news.

“It’s very exciting that they are getting a new facility,” Chagrin said Friday. “Not only will it hopefully be more comfortable for the animals, but also when you have a nicer facility it does increase foot traffic.”

and increase adoptions because people are more comfortable coming down and it’s not so depressing. Hopefully the policies (put in place to run the shelter) will be good ones.”