The center, which on Oct. 1 started accepting animals picked up in San Jose, Los Gatos, Saratoga and Cupertino, is full of skylights, visitation rooms and open space.

"Most people think of an animal shelter as a dark, depressing place that's sad," said Julie St. Gregory, San Jose Animal Care and Services spokeswoman.

At 50,000 square feet, the $18 million project includes courtyards, cat socialization rooms, classrooms, a pet-supply store, kitchens and a medical clinic.

"People don't necessarily have to come here just to adopt," said shelter operations supervisor Kerrie Watkins earlier this year. Watkins said she envisioned senior citizens arriving at the shelter just to be able to spend time with the animals. "There are a lot of facets that make it a community project. And that's what we've got to provide," Watkins added.

Music will be piped through the holding rooms constantly, featuring harpist Sue Raimond. St. Gregory said the music will be used to calm the strays, and Raimond's music has the reputation of being especially therapeutic for animals.

Each dog kennel comes with a hammock-type bed—so the canines will not have to sleep on the floor—and the kennels are individually ventilated to prevent airborne diseases, said Jon Cicirelli, deputy director of animal care and services.

Every type of room is cleverly named, with monikers such as Wildcats Cross (holding pens for feral felines); Paws of Justice (which houses the animal-control officers); and The Barnyard (for unusual surrendered animals like chickens and roosters).

And, of course, there is Spirits Rest, the euthanasia room. Unadoptable pets—ill, severely injured or dangerous to the public—must be euthanized.

According to Cicirelli, the new San Jose facility is the largest single shelter in California.

And there's more to come: a 3,000-square-foot Phase 2, which finishes construction next spring, will add a spay/ neuter clinic, an expanded surgery space and more cat-holding spaces. Funding for the additional space came from Cupertino, Los Gatos and Saratoga.

For more information on, visit www.sanjoseanimals.com or call 408.578.PAWS. The shelter is at 2750 Monterey Road, San Jose.