Sat Jul 31 2010
by Erica Peterson
Executive editor
Twinsburg -- "The miracle is happening!"
Karen Conklin couldn't keep the excitement out of her voice as she showed me the work that's been done at the cavernous new home of Pawsibilities -- The Humane Society of Greater Akron.
The Humane Society has been trying to move since 2003, says Conklin, its executive director.
"We've been bawling like babies," she says. "It's really happening."
Conklin, along with Christine Shock, director of community relations, recently gave me a tour of their new home, the 65,000-square-foot building at 7996 Darrow Road that briefly housed the Twinsburg Township Town Hall.
My jaw literally dropped as I took in the space they have to work with now, as compared to the cramped quarters I toured last summer at their Quick Road facility in Peninsula.
At that time, the shelter was bursting at the seams, with cages placed in every available space. There was no distinction between kennels and offices, as they had to make room for all the dogs and cats wherever they could.
Shock bubbled as she showed me where her office will be, a comfortable space that will easily fit a desk for an intern, too. That's a far cry from her quarters in Peninsula, where three to four people worked in an area a third of the size.
"And that's not including the dogs and puppies we'd have to house in here when we had no room," she recalls. "The poor interns had to sit on the floor!"
She showed me where the copier would be, where the computers will go, exuding excitement over office equipment that I take for granted. She explained the old shelter has a sign on the copier that says "Don't use unless you talk to Christine." Apparently, the wiring in the 1968 building is so old that she'd have to turn off the computer if someone wanted to use the copier, and turn off the window air conditioner if someone wanted to use the computer.
Conklin couldn't wait to show me the on-site medical suite. She estimates it will save the shelter around $300,000 a year being able to have a veterinarian in-house, rather than transporting pets for routine care and spaying and neutering.
I was struck by how having a place for medical care is a luxury; Shock relayed stories of pet injections having to take place on Conklin's desk, as it was the only available space.
I was blown away by the huge dog kennel area. Rows and rows of cages, enough to house 200 dogs more than comfortably, barely put a dent in the space available.
Dozens and dozens of cat cages are getting a makeover by an Eagle Scout before they are installed, too (separate from the dog kennel room, of course.)
Project thanks to partnership
The new facility became a reality in no small part due to a partnership between the Humane Society and Hattie Larlham, a non-profit organization that provides services to those with developmental disabilities.
Dennis Allen, the CEO of Hattle Larlham, explains that the organization's headquarters will be moving from Portage County to the township building in mid-April, and that Hattie looks forward to the opportunities the partnership will provide.
For instance, the organization offers a Doggie Day Care for pet owners. And its Constant Companions day program offers pet therapy and other interactions with animals to clients.
Conklin and Allen hope their unique partnership will serve as a model for other organizations.
"This deal came about on a handshake," Conklin said. "It really can happen."
"We talk about things like this all the time, but it rarely happens," Allen agreed. "But this is happening; two agencies are coming together for the common good."
Plans for the future depend on community
Both Conklin and Shock took great pride in showing me the Humane Society's community room. Conklin sees summer day camps and pet training taking place there, as well as outside groups' meetings.
"Our vision is for this to become a community facility," Conklin says.
She looks forward to getting to know the Twinsburg community and working with her new neighbors.
"Twinsburg has been phenomenal," she says. "They have been amazing in helping us get settled."
And she is counting on the entire community to help the Humane Society finish its new shelter. Orange paint on the floor marks what she hopes to see built, including isolation rooms where potential animal adopters can meet with pets.
Those plans depend on the shelter raising more money. Community members can help by buying a square foot of the shelter for $100. And there are room naming rights for $100,000, and still more room available to rent.
The Humane Society is shooting for a March 29 moving date for the animals. The shelter will then close for adoption for two weeks so the animals can destress and the staff can get acclimated to the new facility.
The plan is to open to the public April 13, but depending on how the animals handle the move, that date could change.
I asked how one gets hundreds of cats and dogs moved.
"We have so many volunteers, so many people who love the animals and are ready to help the animals," Shock says, "the actual move is the least of our worries."
E-mail: epeterson@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-686-3903
Comments
By Posting to this site, you agree to our Terms of Service Be polite.
Inappropriate posts may be removed.
Tallmadgeexpress.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post.
Login above or Register to comment.
0 Total Comments Home | Back
Copyright Record Publishing Co, LLC. 1995-2010. All Rights Reserved.
Content may not be republished without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
Content may not be republished without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
Dix Communications