AHWAHNEE – With groundbreaking on their new facility just around the corner, the Eastern Madera County SPCA is gearing up to get busy on the new Animal Care and Adoption Center.
The EMC SPCA has been working to get a low cost spay/neuter adoption facility in Eastern Madera County for more than 20 years, according to EMC SPCA board member Tom Burdette. “In the last few years things have really accelerated thanks to the Honorary Mayor campaigns.”
Within a few weeks, they hope to have their conditional use permit from Madera County, and are looking to break ground early in 2013.
The approximately 6 ½ acre site will be home to a state-of-the-art center for dog and cat adoptions, low-cost spay and neuter programs, emergency response resources, feral cat programs, laboratories and an operating room, isolation areas for animals brought in for evaluation, plus meeting rooms for educational opportunities and a park area if people just want a nice place to take a walk with their dog.
“There will be facilities on-site for emergency response material in case of a major fire where animals have had to be evacuated and relocated,” says Burdette. “Also we will be able to respond to people who are in need of having their animals evacuated.”
The first order of business will be grading of service roads and drilling a water well. The architect estimates it will take about 6-8 months for all of the plans to be ready to go out to bid.
The EMC SPCA says that, like everything else, the length of time it will take to build is all about the money. “We have seen wonderful community interest and support for the shelter,” they say in their newsletter “Pet Scoop.”
“There are so many exciting aspects of the facility. We are, of course, most concerned with the health and adoptability of the animals in our care.
“The shelter will feature surfaces that protect against disease. Cats will not be housed in cages, but rather in community rooms. Dogs will have access to the outdoors and will be able to play and socialize in grassy areas. The adjacent dog park will provide a safe and secure area for dog owners to allow their dogs to run off-leash. The dog park is also an area that will host training and obedience classes as well as other events.”
As the end of the 2012 tax year approaches, the EMC SPCA is encouraging folks to consider making a donation to help with the shelter project. People can also make a donation in honor or memory of a friend or loved one. The honoree will receive a handmade card, and your donation is tax deductible, and will be used right here in Eastern Madera County.
The EMC SPCA does not get help from any national humane society or SPCA, nor do they receive tax funds. Their volunteers and board members receive no salaries.
People can make a donation safely on their website at www.emcspca.org by clicking the Donate button. Click the Membership link to see the names of all those who have donated at sponsorship levels for 2013. Log on today and add your name to the list.
The EMC SPCA thanks you for helping to make the dream of a local no-kill shelter a reality!
Click here to read an article about the shelter posted in June 2012.
