Why do we need a new facility?

The current facility is 10 years old, and while it met the needs of the community at the time it was built in 1999, it is no longer adequate. Our reservoir of makeshift solutions to deal with the lack of space has been exhausted. We simply cannot continue to provide high-quality services in our cramped and severely outdated facility. From the perspectve of space/capacity, or of health and safety concerns ( there is no ventilation system nor is there a quarantine area for sick animals or a separate kennel area for seized animals) it is clear a new, more effective shelter is needed.

Why doesn't the HSKL just renovate and expand its existing building?

This option was investigated. To create something with all the desired specifications it would be more expensive than the new build.

How much will it cost?

After consulting with our architect, our initial estimates tell us the building will cost 1.2 million.

When will it be completed?

We expect the construction to be complete spring to fall of 2011. (somewhat weather dependent)

Why doesn't the City of Kawartha Lakes just pay for a new shelter?

The city does recognize our vital function within the community as well as our desperate need for a new facility. They have been very supportive of our efforts.

We do not receive ongoing funding from anyone including the government. We depend on donations and bequests from our community.

Are animals euthanized because of the limitations of the current building?

In our current shelter we have overcrowding combined with an non-existent ventilation system that means diseases like upper respiratory infection and bordetella (kennel cough) are nearly impossible to control. The building has no space to isolate sick animals. To prevent suffering and the spread of disease, we are sometimes forced to make difficult decisions about animals.

Once you move into the new facility, what will you do with the existing building and site?

Once the new shelter is established, we plan to turn our attention to working toward using the existing building as a high volume, spay/neuter clinic. This will be a huge benefit to this community and surrounding areas.

How much has alredy been raised and from whom?

Both the provincial and federal governments have confirmed their commitment to this project, with each putting in $400,000 (one third) in matching funding. an additional $125,000 is also confirmed from the OSPCA and from members of the local community. To date then, $925,000 towards our $1.2 million has been pledged or received.

How much are you expecting from the community?

The grant received from two levels of government (Federal and Provincial) requires that we raise an additional $400,000 from the community and other sources. Both of these sources of funding will match every dollar that we are able to raise, which means that every dollar donated by our community will actually result in $3 coming to the shelter. Our 1/3 share of the required finding - $400,000 - must be entirely raised in order to leverage the matching funds from the two levels of government. The urgency associated with this opportunity is that we must complete our fundraising, for the $275,000 that remains, by the end of October , 2011 in order to completely access the matching funds from the government.

What difference will a new shelter make?

The immediate impacts are obvious:

In a larger and well ventilated shelter, we will be able to house animals in a healthy environment, which is a paramount concern for the animals and for our staff and volunteers.

We will be able to accommodate not only more animals but also to admit and care for those animals which are ill, requiring assessment, treatment, infirmary or quarantine care, without risk to other animals in the shelter.

Animals seized by our control officers, and needing a separate space for observation and possibly treatment, will be accommodated in an area specially designed for this purpose.

New adoption areas will increase our ability to "turn over" animals allowing not only more adoptions but also allowing for increased intake, the need for which, sadly, never seems to go away.

Who is helping with the campaign?

In addition to a long list of volunteers who work in the shelter, and who (year after year) help to raise money for the Humance Society by organizing events in the community, we have asked a group of local people who understand the important role of the shelter in our community, and who care enough to make sure that it succeeds, to work together on this special funding campaign. But we also need your help.

Can I just redirect my current donation to the building campaign?

Since we are funded almost entirely by our donors, switching an annual or regular donation to the building campaign would diminish our ability to assist today's animals. Additional donations to the building campaign will enable us to create a better environment for tomorrow's animals while maintaining our standard of care for today's animals.