Tara Jeffrey
Officials at the Sarnia & District Humane Society have announced plans to break ground on a new shelter build next year, after securing a five-acre parcel of land in Sarnia.
“This changes everything for us,” executive director Donna Pyette said of the land purchase, made possible through community donations. “We can do so much more for the animals in our care and our community; we are very excited.”
The new facility will be located at 1615 Wellington Street, across from the Western Sarnia-Lambton Research Park, and “will be tailored to meet the needs of all animals who come through our doors,” a news release noted, adding the addition of indoor/outdoor accessibility for both cats and dogs, do-it-yourself wash stations, a cat cafe, education and training areas, and “tons of green space.”
The current shelter at 131 Exmouth Street has been “busting at the seams for far too long,” said board chair Bob Farlow, adding it has the capacity to hold 130 animals.
The building, built in 1983, has structural problems, high maintenance costs, heating and cooling issues, and is on a lot too small for expansion, city council was told last year.
“We need to do better for the animals that come through out doors, and for our community who reach out to us daily for help.”
Officials say a capital campaign, “The Way Home,” will launch in October.