The first public meeting was held Tuesday night for a new animal shelter in Greene County.
Facilitator Don Orris led the presentation. He talked about the inefficiencies and inadequacies of the current facility that is located next to the wastewater treatment plant in Jefferson. The current shelter is a 12-foot-by-11-foot building. The cats are placed altogether in the same kennels, which is a violation of state code, plus several other similar violations are noted every year by the state inspector.
The location for the proposed new animal shelter is in the southwestern six-acres of land in Greene County Development Corporation’s west business park, which GCDC has already donated the land. The building would be over 800-yards away from a cemetery that’s located there and is about 400-yards away from Jefferson Family Dentistry. The new facility would include: 13 separate dog kennels, 15 cat condos, isolation kennels, after-hours animal intake area, cat run, food preparation room, a clinical and exam room and a quiet room for cats to be adopted out of.
Orris noted the two final areas that are left to be decided, before fundraising can start in March, is how to establish a stock option for people to give to and a 28E agreement with the other cities in the county. The total estimated cost from the architect firm, Waggoner and Wineinger Architects, to build the facility is $1,134,744. The building will be built by private donations, sponsorship opportunities and grants.
People for Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) volunteer Marilyn Lane says a new animal shelter is desperately needed.
“We don’t have a restroom down there. We have no place to set up a computer. The animals are cold and they don’t have room. Everything you can think of is wrong with the shelter.”
There are a few more public meetings left this week at the Greene County Community Center to learn more about the animal shelter. Tonight and Friday are at 7pm, while an additional meeting will take place this Saturday at 9am.
