September 12, 2018 at 5:18 p.m.
Oneida County Humane Society remodel, expansion project hits final stretch
Oneida County Humane Society remodel, expansion project hits final stretch
By Kayla Thomason-
The project, which began in April, is scheduled to wrap up in mid to late October, according to Humane Society director Bria Swartout.
The changes include a divided entrance and exit, an office, a meet-and-greet room, small animal room, two bathrooms and a larger lobby which is sporting the shelter's colors.
"That's wonderful," Swartout said, referring to the size of the lobby. "There was often times in the other lobby we would have standing-room only. We didn't have enough seats, we just had people coming in like where do you go, and I think the bigger lobby and better directions, better flow of the building will help."
There will also be more areas for small dogs as the dog wellness room now includes five more kennels.
The sides of the kennels are concrete walls that extend to a height that the dogs who are in them shouldn't be able to jump. If there should be an agile jumper the shelter will have a few covers for kennels to prevent them from getting loose. There is also a large kennel for mothers and their litters.
Swartout said she's thrilled with the new layout and is excited for what it will mean for the animals in her care.
"Seeing it in person is great, because seeing the opportunities that this has for the animals here is incredible," she said.
The walls are a light gray while the floor will be finished with an epoxy resin with a splash of color.
"We're trying to get away from the institutionalized look, unfortunately with a kennel environment you're going to have a little bit of that," Swartout explained.
According to Swartout, the kennel doors are expected to arrive the week after the floor is done. From there, the workers will need to complete work on the bathrooms, finish remodeling the cat rooms, and install sound-reducing tiles in the dog rooms, she said.
Work will be done in mid-October to connect the shelter's parking lot with the parking area at the animal clinic next door.
Humane Society volunteers spent about four years raising money for the project before work could begin. The fundraising effort received a boost in 2015 when Petco donated $100,000 to the cause.
"I think it's going to be great for the animals and everybody," said Sue Otis, OCHS treasurer and board member.
While the expansion and remodel is nearly done, the shelter could use more donations, Otis said.
"We are in a situation where we will have to be taking out a loan to finish the project, so we would appreciate any donations we could get," she said.
Those interested in making a monetary donation can send checks to the Oneida County Humane Society at 1852 North Stevens Street with the memo "building project."
The shelter is always in need of regular supplies, which can be dropped off at the the facility, through the back of the building on the right side.
For a list of needed supplies, visit www.ochspets.org/about-us/donations.
Kayla Thomason may be reached at [email protected].
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