<p>Currently, there is a paucity of effective and extended-release products for pain management of small and large animals. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), particularly meloxicam, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, are widely utilized for opioid-sparing pain management in conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The utility of oral formulations of meloxicam such as Metacam® can be challenging due to variabilities associated with dose delivered, especially in small animals and lack of sustained drug action. Here, we describe the development and characterization of an extended-release meloxicam depot injection. A stable injectable formulation was developed, as an alternative to marketed formulations, supported by extensive preformulation studies focused on stability and solubility of meloxicam. Dispersibility and stability of the formulation was found to be affected by meloxicam particle size. Particle size reduction using a benchtop jet mill yielded a suspension that remained stable for at least 12 months at 5°C and 25°C/60% RH. Importantly, the developed formulation demonstrated sustained drug release in an in-house developed dialysis-rotator method. Although the release rate was comparable to a marketed compounded meloxicam SR injectable product (ZooPharm, now a subsidiary of Wedgewood Pharmacy), complete drug release was achieved from the developed formulation within the tested duration (100% vs. 87%). The developed injectable is expected to extend the duration of analgesic effects, thus reducing the need for repeated dosing. An <i>in vivo</i> evaluation in rats demonstrated sustained meloxicam exposure with a favorable safety profile, and these findings are reported in a separate publication.</p>