2001-04-24 Blair Animal Sheltere
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Oraanization Narrative
The City of Blair, a non-profit organization, intends to construct a new animal
shelter. The estimated cost of the project is $250,000 TO $280,000; of which
$180,000 has been included in the City's budget.
Many families in the Blair Community keep pets (dogs and cats). Pets provide
them with companionship, loyalty, and affection. However sometimes people
cannot, or will not, provide adequate and/or responsible care for their pets. In
those cases, Blair Animal Control is called upon to impound the animals, for the
animal's safety and the safety of the community.
Blair Animal Control goes beyond providing that basic service, however. In
2000, 95 dogs and 4 cats were reunited with their owners. Fifty-eight dog and 41
cat adoptions were facilitated, including adoption to residents of Washington
County outside the Blair City limits.
In addition, Blair Animal Control has carried out a program to educate pet
owners, helping them to deal with some "problem" pets, instead of giving them
up. The program also provides information about pet health, encouraging
owners to have their pets vaccinated and neutered. As a result of this effort to
promote responsible pet ownership, impounds, citations and euthanizations have
dropped significantly since 1996.
In 2000, the City of Blair issued 392 dog licenses. However, that is a
conservative estimate of the number of dogs in Blair, because many people do
not license their dogs. The City does not license cats. With a population of
7,512 persons, and over 2,000 households, within the city limits (2000
Census data), it is reasonable to assume that at least half have a cat or dog.
While it is hoped that not all of these pets will have contact with Blair Animal
Control, it is true that every household in Blair with a cat or dog has the potential
to be served by the proposed project.
The proposed activity would be run by the City of Blair, and would enforce the
Blair City Code. Animal impoundment services are not provided to residents
outside the city limits, however, animal adoption services are. The City of Blair
recently contacted the Washington County Board of Supervisors, with an offer to
jointly design and construct a shelter for use by the City and the County. To
date, the County has not responded.
Currently the staff of Blair Animal Control consists of one full-time officer, one
part-time assistant, and volunteers who assist with kennel maintenance and
animal care. This experienced and qualified staff would continue to operate the
programs from the new shelter. The staffing and programs have been, and will
continue to be, funded through the City's budget, with help from occasional
grants and donations.
Proiect Narrative
Currently, Animal Control operates in a converted sewage treatment plant, which
was originally built in 1958 and converted to its current use in 1980. The building
is not large enough, and is in a state of disrepair. The electrical, heating, air
conditioning and floor drain systems were not designed to accommodate the
health and safety needs of an animal shelter. The proposed new shelter would
include adequate kennel space for dogs and cages for cats, and would be
designed for safe, sanitary kenneling of small domestic animals. The City is not
interested in remodeling an existing building, in part because the needs of an
animal shelter are difficult to provide in an existing building, and in part because
an appropriate, vacant building does not exist in the community.
Preliminary drawings (attached) by hgm Associates, Inc., indicate that a 2,277
square foot building would be adequate for the City's needs. The new building
would be built on the site of the old building, on land owned by the City.
The City has budgeted $180,000 for this project, including an anticipated $30,000
in KENO funds. Approximately $100,000 must be raised through other sources.
The City is aggressively pursuing various foundation grants. Funds will also be
solicited from local businesses and citizens who have previously supported
projects of this type. Finally, community service organizations will be
approached to sponsor and organize fund-raising events for the project. Through
this combined approach, the City is confident of reaching the projected goal.
The City hopes to have funding in place by mid summer. At that time, bids will
be sought for design and construction of the facility. The City hopes to begin
construction by autumn of 2001, for completion and opening in spring of 2002.
Mission Statement
"Our mission is to serve the citizens of Blair and provide a safe environment; to
ensure the humane treatment of animals; reduce the number of injured and
euthanized animals; increase pet adoption; provide a safe and sanitary animal
shelter; and to work with the Blair community to educate the public about
responsible pet ownership."
The proposed project, construction of a new facility designed to current
standards for small animal kenneling, will enhance the City's Animal Control
Department's ability to successfully carry out its mission by:
♦ Providing a low -maintenance care facility, freeing up officer time to carry out
education and adoption services;
♦ Providing safe, secure and sanitary boarding conditions for animals that are
impounded;
♦ Providing additional space for long-term care of impounded and hard -to -place
animals;
♦ Providing a welcoming environment for potential owners, community groups,
and others who would be visiting the shelter.
PROJECT BUDGET
Blair Animal Shelter
April, 2001
Approximate cost
City Funds dedicated $150,000
KENO funds $ 30,000
TOTAL
Fundraising Requirement
Thank you for considering our application.
$280,000
$180,0
$100,000