Published: 2:15 PM, 11/19/2009

Last updated: 11:46 AM, 11/23/2009

By: Melanie Marshall

The funding is in place and the Watauga Humane Society is moving forward with construction of the new facility.

The shelter will be located off Don Hayes Road, near Rutherford Baptist Church, in Deep Gap. WHS owns the land and is the location of the dog park.

The facility will be nearly three times the size of the current shelter to house additional animals. The WHS partnered with the county in October to house animals picked up by the Watauga County Animal Care and Control department.

Both WHS and animal control were operating in outdated facilities in need of replacement. The animal control facility does not meet the regulations of the state inspector. WHS shelter is built on a flood plain and subject to moisture issues.

WHS treasurer Lee Jessen said one office in the current building had to be closed and shut off due to a mold problem.

County officials made the decision after pricing a new animal control facility at $680,000. Instead, the county agreed to pay $400,000 on a new facility and $75,000 per year operating costs for the animals housed. These figures represent a reduction in the annual expenses of the animal control department.

"Our projections are the facility will hold all the animals, but the costs won't necessarily double," said WHS president Shaun Lundy. "It will bring down the cost we spend per animal and we'll have a more efficient facility. It's certainly good for the county and it's good for the community."

The total cost of the facility will be $2.35 million. Jessen said the organization has already raised, through grants and donations, more than half of the total. The remaining $1 million will be financed. He said the organization is still seeking donations to lower the bank obligation.

To make a donation, contact the WHS shelter during regular business hours from Tuesday to Friday 12:30 to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 12:30 to 5 p.m. or call (828) 264-7865. More information about WHS is available online at www.wataugahumanesociety.org.

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