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The Humane Society of Richmond County has temporarily closed its doors for a series of repairs and improvements to the facility. Although Wednesday marked the final day for public traffic, Humane Society Board Chair Evonne Swanson said there are still plenty of pets that need to find homes.

“We’ve still got probably 40 cats and that many dogs, and animal control is bringing them in every day,” she said.

In an attempt to adopt out pets, the shelter will continue to make private appointments for interested parties. Available dogs and cats can be seen on the shelter’s Facebook page by searching for the Humane Society of Richmond County.

“We’re also taking our animals to PetSmart and doing adopt-a-thons,” Swanson said.

The Humane Society will be at Walmart in Rockingham today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with several animals, and plans to be at Walmart in Wadesboro on Sunday.

In particular, Swanson said the shelter needs homes for cats.

“We just have too many animals,” she said. “The building is being improved around them.”

The need for repairs was first addressed in September, when the Humane Society board announced that the shelter would be closing due to financial difficulties and a lack of support. After collaborating with county officials, however, the shelter decided to remain open to the public after a series of updates have been made to the building.

The repairs, according to County Manager Rick Sago, involve plumbing and draining work, HVAC repairs and fencing.

“We’ve tried to help them as much as we can with the way the building fits their needs,” Sago said. “We’re trying to do everything we can to minimize cost to everyone. The shelter is doing their best to keep their expenditures down and to change the way it operates, and I think they’ve done a very good job.”

Sago said there has been very little cost involved in the repairs, but a lot of effective assistance.

“We feel that in the end, this will certainly benefit the county as a whole and allow for a lot more efficient and effective operation down there.”

Swanson, who praised Sago for his efforts to help the shelter, said she was hopeful that the shelter could reopen as soon as December.

“We’re officially closed until the first of December, with a grand reopening to be announced,” she said. “If we get it done quicker, we’ll do it sooner — but for now it’ll be the first part of December to give us a chance to get everything refabbed and reworked.”

For more information about how you can help, visit the Facebook page for the Humane Society of Richmond County.

— Staff Writer Mallory Brown can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 18, or by email at mallorybrown@heartlandpublications.com.