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HSLC offers update on 2023 building
project
By Angela Reiners
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[April 04, 2023]
The Humane Society of Logan County (HSLC),
which was formed in July 2006, has been operating as a shelter for
eleven years. Over the years, the Humane Society has identified some
modifications that would better serve animals living at the shelter.
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building currently has 15 rooms. These include four cat rooms,
twelve dog kennels and one isolation room. Other rooms include an
office, storage area, food pantry, furnace room and laundry room.
When animals arrive at the shelter, most of them have not had any
vaccines. Once the animals are vaccinated, they are required to
spend fourteen days in isolation. After fourteen days, the animals
are considered fully protected and can move into the general
population rooms.
Since the Humane Society shelter was opened, both cats and dogs have
been housed in the same isolation room. The shared isolation room
has one dog kennel and four cat kennels.
As a result, HSLC has been unable to take in as many animals as they
would like, often having to turn away animals.
Not only are cats in the same room with barking dogs, but the cats
can also hear dogs in the general population barking.
This added stress on the cats result in some of them not eating or
drinking, becoming more withdrawn and hiding under bedding. They
also may urinate and defecate outside their litter boxes and sleep
in the litter boxes.
To help remedy the problem, the HSLC has proposed the construction
of a new dog isolation room that will have four kennels. There will
be two outside runs for dogs in isolation.
The existing isolation room for cats would then be remodeled.
Each isolation room will require separate heating, cooling and air
exchange systems. These systems are essential for aiding in the
prevention and spread of disease.
The new isolation room will have another laundry area with a washer
and dryer. There will be a separate door to exit the building from
this room.
The additional isolation rooms will allow HSLC to take in more
animals.
In calendar years 2021 and 2022, the Humane Society took in 81 dogs
and 164 cats, totaling 245 animals.
Jim Manning, who did the original conceptual floor plans for the
construction of the HSLC shelter, has drawn up plans for Phase 1 and
Phase 2 of the new addition.
Engineer and HSLC Volunteer Jeff Short agreed to
serve as Project Manager.
Architect JH Petty & Associates, drew the original shelter
blueprints, and have been contracted for the new addition
blueprints.
It is anticipated that the total construction budget will not exceed
$186,764.
HSLC is working on raising funds for the addition by sending out
funding requests and holding fundraisers.
The original plans were shown at HSLC’s “Stuff the Truck” in
October, and some made donations for the building addition at that
time.
The Humane Society also sent out a funding request in January. Board
members Lynnette Maske and Marilyn Wheat said money has started to
come in from businesses and people in the community.
In February, Farm and Home Supply in Lincoln is hosting a fundraiser
for the HSLC that includes asking if customers would like to donate
$1.00 to their final purchase amount. If yes, then the customer
receives a heart for the HSLC and can place their own name or the
name of a pet on the heart. Those hearts are then placed on display
in the in the middle isle next to the registers.
Another fundraiser will be March 23 at Culver’s
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Currently, the Humane Society is also applying for
grants as they become available. Maske and Wheat said they look for
grants that are animal related.
CLICK
PHOTO TO ENLARGE
In phase one the outside walls and roof for the new isolation room
will be erected. Along with the shell, new utilities will be added.
This addition will go right behind the existing isolation room.
CLICK PHOTO TO
ENLARGE
Phase two will consist of erecting the inside walls for the new
isolation room and adding four dog isolation kennels. The isolation
areas will also have a separate washer and dryer. In addition, two
outdoor dog runs will be created.
The Humane Society hopes to break ground for the addition this
spring.
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