WARREN — It was a “paws-i-tively” big day for the Healthy Hearts and Paws Project as the organization celebrated its expansion.

A groundbreaking ceremony Thursday took place at its facility at 909 Martin Luther King Blvd. SW, highlighting progress and unveiling new projects aimed at enhancing the organization’s ability to support animals.

The centerpiece of the groundbreaking was a 4,200-square-foot building that will significantly expand HHPP’s capacity.

The new structure, measuring 70 feet by 60 feet, will include a connecting walkway to the main shelter, creating a seamless layout for staff and visitors.

“This expansion is going to help us better meet the growing needs of our community and provide more resources for the animals in our care,” said Jason Cooke, director of HHPP. In addition to increasing overall capacity, the building will also provide much-needed space for the shelter’s dogs, ensuring they have more room to thrive, he said.

In addition to the new building, the ceremony introduced Bootsie’s Boutique, a facility designed to house cats, particularly those that are feral or semi-feral.

“Many of the cats we take in are feral or semi-feral and prefer the outdoors,” Cooke said. “To accommodate them, we’ve built a patio where they can feel more at ease. We’re also adding a storage shed to free up space in the main building, which will allow us to store more supplies and better serve the animals.”

The boutique also will serve as a hub for pet supplies, such as toys, benefiting animals and their owners.

Cooke also shared plans for a new initiative — a pet food pantry — which he hopes will provide critical support to the local community.

“By supplying people with the resources they need to care for their pets, we’re hoping to lessen the cases of cats and dogs being malnourished or calls to the shelter from owners unable to take care of their pets,” Cooke said.

The event drew enthusiastic support from community members and local officials who were eager to see the shelter’s plans in action.

“Every addition we make helps us better serve animals and support the people who care for them,” Cooke said.