The Lakeshore Humane Society is more than halfway toward its goal of building a new shelter.
Executive Director Tina Nichols explained on WOMT’s Be My Guest program that about $2.4 million has been raised so far out of the $3.8 million needed.
Nichols also said that they are still taking donations for their new building.
The new shelter isn’t just going to be an office building.
“We’re more to like a hospital and medical clinic,” she stated. “We need drains everywhere and special HVAC and sinks in every space. So, all those extra things make a huge difference. Plus, kennels and all of the extra things that have to go into the building.”
Nichols mentioned numerous donations, including $250,000 from the West Foundation and $19,000 from a local couple.
She says there are still numerous ways to donate to the cause, including personal checks with notes for them to go to the shelter and through a website called Might Cause.
“It’s similar to a GoFundMe, but a little bit better for our type of organization,” she explained. “And you can do it directly online. Or, if you wanted, we do have pledge packets.”
The packets allow for donors to give overtime. The current Lakeshore Humane Society building was built in 1976 and can no longer be remodeled to meet the need for more space.
The new 14,000-square-foot facility would be built just north of the original building near the public dog park on the city’s north side.
Nichols says she hopes construction will begin sometime this year.
