Our Vision For The New Shelter
The new shelter facility has been carefully designed to serve the needs of our organization for decades to come. With a focus on simplicity and efficiency, we have designed the building and grounds to provide a safe, clean, and efficient space for our staff as well as the animals in our care.
The footprint of the new building is about 2,000 square feet. This one storey building will be large enough to meet the needs of our shelter, without any excess that would increase the cost of the project.
This rendering shows some of the key features of our building design.
Major improvements that will enhance the quality of life for the animals in our care and increase the efficiency of our operations:
- Facilities to properly quarantine sick animals, which will prevent the spread of disease
and reduce veterinary costs. - Accessibility will be greatly improved, so we can welcome all volunteers and visitors to the shelter.
- Hybrid indoor/outdoor living areas for the cats and dogs.
- Space for families to better interact with animals before adoption, as well as dedicated rooms for intake, veterinary care, pregnant animals, laundry facilities, and grooming.
- Kennels and stalls made with easy-to-clean materials, with proper drainage in each unit.
- Improved ventilation to improve air quality and reduce the transmission of airborne
disease. - Modest but necessary staff space for breaks, lunch, and meetings.
- A welcoming outdoor space on our existing property, which provides the community with an opportunity to engage with our animals, volunteer, and spend time outdoors.
Community Engagement
The new building and grounds will welcome volunteers, families, and children to interact with animals and learn about the important work of the animal shelter. The grounds will be a gathering place for the community, allowing members of the community to walk the trails with the animals, and children can spend time outdoors on our beautiful grounds.
We envision a space where schools can organize class trips to our new shelter, providing kids with the opportunity to interact with animals and learn the responsibility of caring for others and volunteering in their community.
Cost & Funding:
The construction of the facility will be a testament to the generosity of our community. The cost of the project will be approximately $250,000. We need donations and capital commitments to complete this important project. We have very successfully operated the shelter independently for years until we outgrew the space. We have been “housed” in the St. George Animal Veterinary Clinic owned by Dr. Melanie Eagan. She is the Founder of the St. George Animal Shelter and the clinic that she opened in 2018 when she relocated to Pawprint Lane. Her clinic has expanded its’ clientele and she is pressed for space. It is time for us to get into our new facility. Dr. Eagan realized that the shelter did not have land and generously contributed 15 acres of land for a new shelter to be built. Now the dream is starting to become a reality!
At the launch of this capital campaign, we are excited to report the following:
- The St George Animal Shelter is coming out of their “quiet” phase of the campaign and has already raised $90,0000 towards the building.
- There was a lot of hard work done “behind the scenes” this past year to create enough to move forward with the building. and initiative to get to this stage through application of grants, writing proposals and we are ecstatic to see this begin.
- Our fundraising team is planning several large fundraising activities to engage the
community. - The Building Fund Committee will be seeking private donations from supporters in the greater Eastern Charlotte Community and the greater Saint John community; all of which they serve.
- We have secured several in-kind commitments to assist with the cost of materials in the construction of the building.