The Humane Society of Richmond County Animal Shelter will be undergoing renovations through June 12, said Candy Bacon, director.  The Humane Society received a grant from The Cole Foundation to cover the cost of the work. The Foundation for the Carolinas facilitates the grant for The Cole Foundation.

The shelter, located on Business 74 West, will be entering its eighth year of operation this July, said Bacon.  Almost 30,000 animals have made their home at the shelter and now it needs a fresh look, she said. Work is scheduled to start Wednesday, May 27.

All kennel area floors will be repaired and then painted using an epoxy-based paint, said Bacon.  Since the paint requires a minimum of 72 hours to dry, the painting will be divided into four sections. The shelter will move all of the adoptable dogs to the hanger and start painting the adoption kennels first. Next the intake kennels, then the puppy rooms and catteries. 

As each section of the shelter is painted and the paint allowed to cure, the shelter will be repairing and painting all of the common areas in the front of the shelter, said Bacon.  The painting project covers about 6,000 square feet of the 10,800 square foot shelter and should take about 14 days to complete.

In addition to the interior renovation, the outside drop-off area will be modified.   A new roof over the entire drop-off area with an escape-proof fence as well as security lighting will bring this area up to acceptable standards, Bacon said.

The Humane Society is asking the public to bear with them through the renovation process, Bacon said. 

“We will only be accepting animals on an emergency basis,” she said. “Folks wishing to adopt should call 895-0335 and make an appointment as our open to the public hours will be extremely limited.”

The shelter will continue to operate its low cost spay and neuter program.  The renovations will have little effect on our Wednesday surgery schedule with the Spay and Neuter Veterinary Clinic of the Sandhills in Vass.  Vouchers will be available for purchase throughout the work week and weekends, said Bacon.

The animal shelter hours will also be changing for the time period from June 1 through September 30,. The shelter will be open to the public Monday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

“We saved utility dollars last year by starting our workday at 7 a.m.” said Bacon. “It also allowed shelter staff to work in the cool of the early morning and shelter dogs did not become overheated in the exercise runs.”