Pennsylvania Began Construction on $94 Million Veterinary Lab
The new facility will centralize disease testing and toxicology research to protect animal health.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Veterinary Medicine
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Pennsylvania has started construction on a 63,000-square-foot veterinary diagnostic laboratory at the New Bolton Center near Kennett Square. This state-funded project will consolidate two primary animal testing operations into one location.
Why it matters
The new lab aims to strengthen animal-disease surveillance and food-safety response for the state's agricultural sector. Existing programs have outgrown their current facilities, prompting this capital investment to modernize research and diagnostic capabilities.
The Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System performed over 279,000 diagnostic tests last year, while the Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology Research Laboratory processes 30,000 samples annually. These units will move into the new building once completed in 2029.
The players
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
The state agency responsible for overseeing agriculture, food safety, and animal health programs.
Penn Vet
The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, which provides advanced research and diagnostics.
SMP Architects
The design firm hired to plan the consolidated 63,000-square-foot laboratory facility.
The details
The facility consolidates operations that currently operate from separate, dispersed buildings, including leased space at West Chester University. Designed by SMP Architects, the project is a state-backed capital investment aimed at modernizing the infrastructure used by the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System and the Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology Research Laboratory. The move is designed to unify disease surveillance and toxicology efforts under one roof.
Timeline
Construction started on the laboratory on October 4, 2026.
Construction is expected to be completed in 2028.
The laboratories are scheduled to move into the building in 2029.
The Home Front
This project modernizes the infrastructure supporting the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System, which was originally established in 1991. The investment reflects the state's commitment to securing the agricultural sector that supports 600,000 jobs.
Pet owners and those involved in the agricultural community should note that this new facility will eventually centralize regional diagnostic services. You may consider discussing with your veterinarian how these consolidated testing capabilities could impact future diagnostic speed for animal health issues.
The takeaway
The consolidation of these labs represents a significant upgrade in regional diagnostic infrastructure meant to bolster animal and food safety. Keep this 2029 transition in mind if you participate in animal-related industries that rely on state diagnostic reporting.
What happens next
Construction is expected to finish in 2028, followed by the laboratory relocation process in 2029.
Further reading
For more on how the state monitors animal health, visit Veterinary Medicine.
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Should states prioritize public funding for large-scale agricultural and scientific infrastructure projects?
