Fundraising Underway for New Animal Shelter

A new fundraising phase is kicking in for the Park County Animal Shelter, which plans to construct a new facility east of Cody.

Officials from the Shelter held a press conference yesterday announcing the final phase of their capital campaign. After several years of collecting private donations, Shelter Board President Ken Markert says they are now asking the public to pitch in to create a new shelter that would be less like, quote, an “animal jail,” and more like a proper adoption center.

Markert notes that there are many reasons why the organization is in need of a new building – those include the cramped conditions, mold in the walls where the dogs are kept, and a congested lobby. He also says there isn’t an adequate medical area, nor is there an isolation or quarantine area for sick animals.

The Park County Animal Shelter is a local, independent community organization that finds homes for more than 500 cats and dogs each year. Board member Lauri Ferraro points out that they have a 95 percent placement rate, with relatively quick turnaround – she says that dogs stay an average of 30 days, and cats 60 days.

The new shelter is projected to cost $1.9 million dollars. Officials expect to break ground next spring and open by the end of 2020.