With funds still being raised, the construction on a new building for the Cass County Animal Shelter won’t begin until next year.
Animal shelter director Kim Kesler said $250,000 still needs to be raised before the plans for a new shelter can go forward.
“We haven’t set a date, but as soon as we raise the funds we will start,” said Kesler, who is also president of the Cass County Humane Society board. “I would really like to start late spring or early summer, if we get the rest of the funds.”
Construction costs for the building are approximately $650,000.
Since the humane society started raising funds for the shelter, Kesler said community support has been outstanding.
“I believe the public wants to see this as much as we do,” she said. “I think they also know it needs to be done.”
The organization will need additional money for operational costs and supplies for the building, including computer systems, desks and other office equipment.
Plans for the new facility include 30 indoor/outdoor dog runs, two cat rooms, an educational room for training, a director’s office, a front lobby and reception area, quarantine rooms for bite cases and a fenced area for walking dogs.
The facility will include 6,020 square feet — more than twice the size of the current facility.
According to Kesler, there is a definite need for the extra space.
“We’ve been in this facility for seven and a half years,” she said. “The capacity is way too small. More animals are coming in since I’ve been here. We’ve had a 100 percent increase and it’s worse with the economy.”
Kesler is hoping to raise additional money this month.
On Saturday, the humane society hosted a bingo night at Izaak Walton League.
Kesler also wanted to do something for the entire month and came up with the idea to have a “tag month.” She asked several area businesses to participate by selling paper tags with the Cass County Animal Shelter logo on them for $1. The person can sign their name and the tag will be displayed in the window of the business.
Kesler said the tags are available at all Cass County veterinarians offices, Maxx Tan, McCords Do It Best Center, several local taverns, Jerry’s Pizzeria, Bruno’s Pizza, Judy’s Goodlife Emporium, Rural King, Family Video, Hair Salon 303 and West Side Cut and Curl.
“It’s a great way to raise awareness,” Kesler said. “People walk into a business and see our logo. We want them to become familiar with our logo.”
Because of the holidays, fundraising activities will stop during December, but will resume in February and last through at least April.
“We’re probably going to have three busy months,” she said. “We’re planning on a large fundraiser with a silent auction and possibly a walk/run event.”
One major event conducted earlier this year was the Rescues and Runways fashion show, which was hosted by the humane society and Maurice’s. Kesler said the show was a success.
“We plan to continue it in years to come,” she said. “I think the public had a good time with that.”
In addition to a $10,000 grant from the Cass County Community Foundation in August, the rest of the money raised to date came from public donations.
Kesler hopes the public will continue to realize the need for the new facility and continue to help out. She is grateful to know people care.
“It’s such a wonderful feeling,” she said.
• Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at 574-732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com
Local News
Humane Society planning events for spring
<b>Additional funding still needed to start construction of new shelter.</b>
- Local News
-
-
County ambulance talks continue
Cass County officials met with another private firm last week as they explore which way to go with the county’s obligation to provide ambulance service.
-
City to consider reducing tipping fee
Logansport City Council members plans to discuss decreasing the amount the city receives in tipping fees from Oak Ridge Recycling and Disposal Facility at a special meeting tonight.
-
Caston officials discussing $2 million in capital projects
Caston School Corp. officials are eyeing a new bus barn and parking lots as they consider spending about $2 million on capital projects.
-
The state option: Local educators unsure of impacts of ‘No Child’ waiver
Indiana last week received a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind act, but local superintendents say the move may just swap one rigid set of guidelines for another without addressing educators’ frustrations.
-
Filings in: Three Republican primaries
Cass County Republicans will cast ballots in three races in the May 8 primary, while Democrats will vote on who to send to the state convention.
-
Logansport officials: Wireless plan not dead
Logansport City Council members last week nixed funding of a $850,000 wireless project approved late last year, but officials say the project is not completely off the radar.
-
Miami County officials say they knew of company’s past issues
Reports that a Texas-based company owed more than $500,000 in back taxes, was behind on its rent and had an executive indicted surfaced about a year before corporate leaders began discussing an expansion to Miami County.
-
Dean Baldwin’s past includes tax payment problems, indictment of executive
An aircraft service provider expanding to Miami County had a blur of bad publicity a few years before announcing its plans to come to the area.
-
Principal: Lewis Cass student attacked with piece of wood
A Lewis Cass Junior-Senior High School freshman remained hospitalized Friday after being attacked by a classmate with a piece of wood, the school’s principal said.
-
Dancing with dad: 185 fathers and daughters take to dance floor
Robert Kesling remembers eight years ago when he swooped his daughter Anna off her feet and swayed on the dance floor with the young lady that makes his heart melt.
- More Local News Headlines
-
County ambulance talks continue
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Coroner: Houston Autopsy Results Weeks Away
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
