Woof! Wooof-bark! Meeeeeeoooooooow!
The nonprofit Kootenai Humane Society is just $1.5 million from its $6.5 million capital campaign goal to construct a much-needed new 24,000-square-foot facility in Hayden. Campaign leaders aim to raise the necessary funds by Sept. 1.
Courtesy rendering
Courtesy photo Kootenai Humane Society is a nonprofit no-kill animal shelter that depends on donations to house and care for animals in need of forever homes, like this little guy. The capital campaign to build a new shelter is about two-thirds to goal but still in need of donations.
Courtesy photo Baccas is one of many canine companions the Kootenai Humane Society has helped. Funding for the KHS capital campaign for a new shelter is about two-thirds of the way to the goal.
HAYDEN — The $6.5 million capital campaign for the new Kootenai Humane Society shelter is almost two-thirds of the way to the goal.
As of Wednesday, the money meter tracking the "Journey to Our New Home" campaign on the KHS website was up to $4,276,569.99 — about 65 percent.
"Once we hit $5.8 million, we can start building," capital campaign chairman Rick Rasmussen said Wednesday.
The fundraising campaign was launched last April to purchase a 10-acre parcel north of Hayden Avenue and on the west side of Atlas Road in Hayden, kitty-corner from the current facility at 11650 N. Ramsey Road.
Ground broke in October to build the 24,000-square-foot shelter that will be able to accommodate thousands of animals who need medical assistance, safe haven from threatening conditions and help on their way to find loving homes.
Although the building site is under snow now, other work has been conducted through the winter and the project is coming along on time.
Rasmussen reported that the builder, Young Construction, and architect, Cory Trapp of Longwell + Trapp Architects, have been acquiring permits and requesting bids. Before the holidays, Whitewater Excavation cleared the lot so it's ready for construction.
"A lot of behind-the-scenes stuff is going on right now," Rasmussen said.
He said members of the capital campaign committee had a list of potential donors to meet with once the holidays were over, so those conversations are happening now.
"That's where we're at," Rasmussen said. "Let's get this to the finish line."
The cinderblock facility that is the current home of KHS and its four- and two-legged tenants is overcrowded and in desperate need of a new space. It's been added onto twice and, as Rasmussen says, "there's only so much bubble gum and duct tape you can use."
"It is so needed to step up and help these animals and the staff," he said. "They are MacGyvering as much as they can."
KHS Board President Cindy Edington said she encourages community members to stop in any time and see for themselves the need for a larger, updated facility. On any given day, the shelter is bustling with patients of the vet clinic or shipments of new dogs to house or families adopting new family members.
"We brought in another 25 dogs on Monday by a land shipment," she said. "If you go out there and you experience the joy you see in those dogs when they get to a place where they know they're going to be saved and find a good home, it makes everything so worthwhile."
The new shelter will include a veterinarian clinic and the ability to expand for future growth. The present facility has been at its current location for 40 years. The building lacks proper insulation, energy efficiency and sufficient space for animals and operations. If all preparations and proper funding is complete this spring, Edington said they would love to see construction start in early June.
Rasmussen said the capital campaign committee is dedicated to being responsible with the funds that come in, using every dollar for a long-lasting facility that will be the right size for its purpose.
"We're not building a Taj Mahal," he said.
KHS is not part of the Kootenai County government agency. It doesn't receive county funding and is not a part of the Humane Society of the United States. The current facility can house a total of only 60 dogs and 60 cats, including isolation areas for sick animals.
"We have been able to do so much with the building that we have, which has daily problems. It's just so old," Edington said. "The thought of what we can do with a new building just adds a whole new meaning to what we can do for our animals and our area."
Tax-deductible donations can be sent to KHS at P.O. Box 1005, Hayden, ID 83835. Designate "new shelter capital campaign" with your donation.
The KHS website, kootenaihumanesociety.com, also has a button for donations.