PORT ANGELES — The Olympic Peninsula Humane Society’s New Year’s resolution is to move into its new $1.5 million shelter complex on Old Olympic Highway in February.
The society was expected to move operations to the new shelter at 1743 Old Olympic Highway this month, but weather and construction issues have delayed the big move to February, said Mary Beth Wegener, executive director of the humane society.
The humane society is in need of donations and volunteers to complete the transition, she said.
Unexpected expenses — items that need to be replaced instead of moved and costs that were not planned — have added about $100,000 to the cost of the shelter, which has been funded by donations, Wegener said.
Originally, the cost was thought to be $1.4 million. Now the shelter needs another $100,000.
“We need that extra little push to get us over and come out without debt,” she said, noting that a loan could be taken out to cover any cost not covered by donations.
Wegener said volunteers would be needed for the final move in February to move equipment and animals between the old kennel at 2105 U.S. Highway 101 west of Port Angeles and the new location east of Port Angeles.
Those who want to help with the move but are not yet registered with the humane society should visit the old kennels or the website at www.ophumanesociety.org to fill out a volunteer form and write “move” on the application, she said.
She said volunteers will be called to organize the move a few weeks before the final push to relocate.
The 8,500-square-foot shelter complex is located on a 9.5-acre lot between Port Angeles and Sequim.
The custom-built dog building is 5,500 square feet with 40 indoor-outdoor kennels, and existing buildings on the property are being converted into a cat kennel, a veterinary clinic and an administrative building.
It includes wooded walking trails for dogs and a pole barn and pasture for farm animals.
The current 2,900-square-foot shelter has 28 indoor-only dog kennels with disconnected outdoor runs and a small cat room.
The new dog building’s kennels have heated floors, a grooming area, isolation kennels for new or sick dogs and adoption rooms. The building is designed for an additional wing of kennels to be constructed as needed.
This week, the kennel dividers, toilets and lighting are being installed, along with other finishing items, Wegener said.
The cat kennel building will have four open home-style adoption rooms, smaller kennels for cats who cannot mix with other cats and an enclosed porch for cats to get fresh air.
As of Tuesday, the rooms had been painted, the floors go in next week and volunteers will soon begin porch enclosure.
The shelter cares for most types of small animals and currently houses about 100 adoptable animals, including about 25 dogs and 75 cats, gerbils, rabbits and other small animals, Wegener said.
“The timing has worked out really well. We’re low on animals this time of year and not in the middle of kitten season,” she said.
Wegener said there are plans in the works for adoption specials in the final weeks in the old shelter to reduce the number of animals that have to be moved in February.
Adoption fees for the animals vary according to species and age. The fee covers a portion of the cost of treatment and care the animals received.
For more information about the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society, phone 360-457-8206 or visit the website.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
