By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Work continues on the new St. Joseph Animal Shelter and Melanie Barnes with the Friends of the Animal Shelter says the organization can’t wait.
“We are so excited,” Barnes tells KFEQmmunity. “Everyone is so excited to go to a newer, larger, more state-of-the art facility so the pets are more comfortable, we are cleaning more efficiently, it’s in a location that maybe will attract more volunteers, more people will want to come.”
The current Animal Shelter is in a cramped location on Lower Lake Road, an industrial area of St. Joseph. Barnes says volunteers who helped out at the current shelter on Lower Lake Road saw the need for a new shelter.
“And people said, you know, if you were over here or if you were in a better location I would come down all the time.,” Barnes says. “And that was the feedback we got.”
Friends of the Animal Shelter began its fundraising campaign more than 10 years ago. A partnership with the city nearly fell through, but negotiations revived the idea. The new shelter is being constructed on South Belt Highway, next to the St. Joseph Recycling Center.
Melanie Barnes with Friends says this new shelter will be an improvement in every way.
“Can’t say enough, like how much we needed a new facility. The one that was built in the 70s was really just a holding place and really sad,” Barnes says. “And we’re excited to have a lighter, happier, brighter facility and attract a lot more volunteers and, hopefully, a lot more owners. (We) can’t do it without our donors in the community.”
The St. Joseph Nestle Purina factory has donated $25,000 dollars to help purchase equipment for the onsite veterinary clinic at the new animal shelter. Barnes says Purina was instrumental in getting the fundraising for a new animal shelter off the ground more than 10 years ago, donating $100,000.
Purina says the donation for vet equipment comes from its Purina Foundation, which supports organizations dedicated to creating positive, lasting impact in Purina’s operating communities.
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