It’s been 42 years since adoption dogs at the Marin Humane Society have seen improvements to their shelter housing – that’s 294 in dog years! But things are about to change.
Project Rebuild is now focused on renovating our dog adoption housing so that we can provide more comfortable accommodations for homeless dogs during their stay with us, and present a more pleasant environment for potential adopters.
Existing facilities include chain-link fencing, narrow walkways, and high ceilings, all of which create an unwelcoming atmosphere for adoption dogs, staff, volunteers, and visitors. The current kennel design unduly stresses adoption dogs, preventing them from showing the better sides of their personalities to potential adopters.
Scheduled for completion in mid-2011, the dog housing renovation will reconfigure our existing kennel space with modern accommodations, wider walkways, and significantly improved soundproofing to maximize comfort, visibility, safety and functionality.
The History of Project Rebuild
Project Rebuild launched in 2009 with the renovation of the Marin Humane Society’s cat adoption housing and veterinary clinic dog ward. Dogs recuperating from illness or surgery now have access to a more comfortable recovery area, while adoption cats have said goodbye to their old, cramped cages in favor of viewer-friendly community cat rooms. In fact, since the new Cat Adoption Center opened in the summer of 2009, our adult cat adoption rate has risen by more than 7%.
The next phase of Project Rebuild was the building of an Intake Center on campus to accommodate the more than 1,100 cats and dogs MHS rescues from other shelters every year through the Pet Partnership Program. Since the Intake Center opened in January 2010, cat and dog intake rooms have been used to expedite processing and evaluation of hundreds of Pet Partnership animals, while separate housing areas provide quiet lodging and serve as a rehabilitation area for animals undergoing medical treatment.
So far, campus renovations and the Intake Center addition have had a positive impact on the quality of life and adoption rate of animals at MHS. As the next phase of Project Rebuild begins, we anticipate that the new dog adoption housing will amplify this impact.
The Specifics
The dog housing renovation will increase our dog housing capacity, create a more comfortable environment for adoption dogs, provide a safer work area for staff and volunteers, and provide better viewing and get-acquainted areas for the public.
A main gallery will feature individual rooms for each dog and second and third rooms will be equipped with puppy/small dog kennels. Minus chain-link fencing, adoption dogs will be more accessible to the public, and improved room configurations will eliminate the distraction of neighboring dogs.
Building materials selected for the project will dramatically decrease noise levels in the dog housing area, creating a calmer environment for adoption dogs and the public and calming the cats housed in the nearby Cat Adoption Center.
With a 13-inch doorway stop, our current kennels have been challenging to navigate. The new design will ease entry and exit to and from dog rooms, making it easier and safer for both dogs and people.
Based on the success of the cat housing renovation, we expect the changes to the dog housing area to facilitate and encourage adoptions, ultimately saving more canine lives.
How you can help
Initial marketing and development efforts have generated enthusiasm about the project from the community. Already, significant grants have been generated from the DMARLOU Foundation, a matching grant from the Joseph Drown Foundation, and other private grant makers. Naming rights for the puppy/small dog kennels have already sold out.
“We are close to reaching our initial goal of $400, 000,” says Sheryl Cardoza, MHS Chief Development Officer. “As with all building projects, however, there may be additional needs that arise as we begin the project in early 2011. And, quite simply, the more resources we raise for this project, the bigger an impact it will make.”
For more information about how you can support this vital project, contact Sheryl Cardoza, MHS Chief Development Officer, at SCardoza@MarinHumaneSociety.org.
Buckaroo: A Case in Point
Life as a stray must have been tough for Buckaroo. When the scared little Chihuahua was found near a high school in San Rafael and brought to the Marin Humane Society, he arrived extremely fearful of strangers.
We wanted to get to know Buckaroo better, but our current dog housing was too stressful an environment for this delicate dog. The shelter kennel environment is noisy and can be stressful for even well-adjusted canines. So Buckaroo went to live in a loving foster home.
Buckaroo has quickly bonded with everyone in his foster home, including the resident dogs. His foster mom says Buckaroo is a great little companion dog who just needs time to get to know you. Soon, a patient guardian will discover that he’s a loving dog who likes sitting on laps and enjoys belly rubs and will take him home for keeps. It takes much longer for a dog to be adopted out of a foster home than directly from the shelter, however.
Providing a more comfortable and supportive place where homeless dogs like Buckaroo can be adopted as quickly as possible definitely supports the Marin Humane Society’s mission. And it’s what the upcoming Project Rebuild renovation is all about.
Carrie Harrington Director of Communications at the Marin Humane Society. For more information about Project Rebuild and The Marin Humane Society’s other programs, visitwww.marinehumanesociety.org.
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