Construction begins on new Humane Society facility
Staff and supporters of the Jacksonville Humane Society’s placed their shovels in the ground May 24 to kick off construction on the adoption and education facility on Beach Boulevard. The new facility will give hope to more than 5,000 abandoned animals, said Linda Stein, chairman of the capital campaign, during the groundbreaking ceremony.
The state-of-the-art building will comprise 44,000 square feet and allow adoption, administration and medical facilities to be housed in one place, said Denise Deisler, executive director. It will feature 100 new climate-controlled kennels for dogs and another 100 for cats. New adoption rooms will offer a “living room” setting allowing for a better atmosphere for prospective parents to interact with the animals. Also planned is an indoor playground for the animals to exercise.
So far $8.6 million has been raised toward the $15 million goal for the construction project, Stein said, noting the new facility plans to be open in the summer of 2017. To date, $440,000 has been given toward a $1 million challenge grant from David and Linda Stein.
By Marcia Hodgson
Resident Community News