Construction started this week at Kitsap Humane Society to provide better living conditions and decrease overcrowding for dogs, according to Kelly Michaels, director of marketing and PR for the society.
As an open admission shelter where no animal is turned away, KHS’ overall capacity for dogs will increase by 20 percent or 12 new kennels, for a total of 72 dog kennels, Michaels said. In addition, the main kennel walls, damaged by water seepage, will be repaired. When the new kennels are completed, three distinct areas will be available for housing dogs: the improved main kennel for medium/large dogs, a new small dog kennel and the existing puppy room. The KHS Board of Directors, in collaboration with KHS management and staff, recently approved moving forward with construction of the new kennel and the repairs. The improvements are estimated to cost approximately $90,000. About 50 percent of the amount is committed for the project, composed of individual gifts (including a $25,000 challenge grant by an anonymous donor) and multiple $1,000 kennel sponsorships. A fundraising campaign is underway to raise the remaining funds, including a social media campaign to raise the $25,000 in matching gifts.
The water damage repair project in the main kennel will start on March 11. KHS will launch an adoption special to “Empty the Dog Kennels” of all medium to large dogs housed in the main kennel at 50 percent off regular adoption fees. This special will run March 1 to March 10. Remaining main kennel dogs will be moved to a nearby commercial boarding facility. The main kennel repairs are expected to take seven to 10 days. Owners looking for stray dogs should still come to the shelter on Dickey Road.
The new small dog kennel construction starts this week and will be completed by mid April. The addition of 12 new small dog kennels will decrease overcrowding of small dogs, which have been often housed in hallways, improve living conditions of the small dogs by housing them in new, state-of-the-art kennels rather than temporary crates, and allow KHS to increase the rescue and adoption of small dogs from other shelters which does not diminish the capacity to rescue and adopt dogs locally.
A KHS social media campaign on Facebook (facebook.com/kitsaphumanesociety) and Twitter (@KitsapHumane) to raise $25,000 in 25 days will launch March 1. This campaign will aim to raise funds to match the $25,000 challenge grant donated for this project. All regular services at Kitsap Humane Society will continue as usual, including adoption of cats, kittens (if available) and small dogs. (View adoptable animals at kitsap-humane.org.) Veterinary services, including low-cost spay/neuter and microchip clinics, animal rescue, foster care and volunteer activities will also be offered as usual. Kitsap Humane Society is a non-profit charitable organization that has been caring for animals in need since 1908. KHS’ vision is that every adoptable companion animal has a home. The staff and volunteers work toward this goal seven days a week through the immediate care and sheltering of thousands of companion animals that are homeless, lost, ill and in need of an advocate. For more information, visit kitsap-humane.org.
