Capital Campaign Background
Launched in July of 2013, the HSLC Capital Campaign has been a labor of love and a crowning achievement for our organization. With nearly $1.7 Million raised to date, we were able to design and build the new shelter and move out of our old facility in March of 2020. Now that construction is complete, please visit the building in-person or take our video tour here.
The James Cook Animal Shelter and Adoption Center provides a healthy, inviting new space which proudly showcases our adoptable dogs and cats. The Center was designed to reduce stress, increase adoptions, promote good health and behavior of animals in our care, and to create a space where potential adopters, staff and volunteers experience a welcoming, happy environment. The facility sits on nearly four acres of land on Highway 70, featuring:
- Welcoming reception area
- Ample Separation of dogs and cats, intake and adoption
- Cutting-edge ventilation
- Attractive kennels and suites
- Separated animal holding areas
- Meet & greet areas
- Safe dog walking area
- In-house spay neuter clinic
- Cat Catio
Square footage of the facility is: 6,667
While thrilled with our new facility, our work is far from over, and our Capital Campaign marches on. Since April of 2020 — and through an unprecedented pandemic that still lingers — we shifted our focus toward projects on the exterior of the building, including:
- Extensive outdoor kennels – Completed, Spring 2020
- Landscaped Frontage (at entrance to shelter) – Completed, Summer 2020
- Dog Walking Path – Fall 2020 (in progress)
- Memorial Park on the eastern frontage of the Building – Winter 2020 into Spring 2021 (in progress)
- Memorial Wall (Summer 2021)
- Dog runs and activity area behind the building (Fall 2021 into Winter and Spring 2022)
And, as expected, nearly every construction project of this magnitude has some unexpected twists and turns, or additional “contingency projects” with corresponding costs. Ours included a significant redesign and re-surveying of our Memorial Park (completed, Fall 2020) and emergency construction of a retaining wall (completed, Winter 2021).
Fortunately, we are resilient and remain motivated to forge ahead – thanks to the strength and commitment of our HSLC Board members, staff, donors and volunteers!
Speaking of donors…there are still many ways to contribute to our capital campaign:
- Make a Single or Multi-Year Pledge (click here)
- Name a room in the shelter or an outside area. (click here)
- Memorialize someone special in our Memorial Park (click here)
- Attend our annual Furr Ball and other events (more info soon!)
And to those who have already donated, know that it took each of you to make our dream of a new shelter come true! Huge Capital Campaign THANK YOUs to our major gift donors and to those in the Lincoln County Community and beyond who donated at any level to help the capital campaign. Without the support of our municipal partners, board members, volunteers, members, donors, veterinarians, businesses, corporate sponsors, foundations, educators, students and anyone who cares about animals – our new shelter simply would not have become a reality without you! “It takes a Village!”
We have reached our goal for Down To Zero!
Now we can concentrate on maintaining and improving our special care for our special animals!
Down to Zero is truly down to zero thanks to the Hubbard Foundation. Robert Donaldson presented the Humane Society of Lincoln County with a $400,000 check from the Hubbard Foundation to make the shelter mortgage zero. This incredible gift will enable HSLC to utilize future funds for resources to improve animal health issues as well as enrichment. The ultimate goal is to find homes for pets and to eliminate pet over population. So much more will be possible with this generous gift. Truly a dream come true.
Our thanks are overflowing,
Laurie Viselli
HSLC Down to Zero Committee Chair
