The Benton-Franklin Humane Society reached a milestone in December when it purchased four acres to build a new no-kill shelter.
Ed Dawson, BFHS operations manager, said the land will allow the organization to triple the size of its shelter.
“Given the number of animal-related stories over the past couple of years, the BFHS knows that an increase in the number of animals we can house at our no-kill facility is vital to our community,” Dawson said.
The Humane Society bought the land, which is at 1710 E. Seventh Ave. near where Seventh Avenue merges with Oak Street, from the Port of Kennewick for $174,000.
In 2008, The Benton-Franklin Humane Society started a capital campaign to raise $2 million for the new shelter. Dawson said the nonprofit organization has about $700,000 of designated funds for the new facility. Construction costs are estimated to be $1.2 to $1.5 million for the 9,000-sq.-ft. facility that is being designed by Terry Thornhill.
The current shelter on Gage Boulevard can only house about 40 animals, Dawson said. The new shelter will provide space for up to 120 dogs and cats and the extra land also has space that could be used to develop a low-cost spay and neuter clinic.
Dawson said the Port land has two buildings on it, one of which will be torn down. But Dawson believes the second building can be remodeled into the spay and neuter clinic, saving the organization the cost of new construction.
“But that is down the road,” he said. “We want to have the new shelter done first.”
Dawson said although fundraising for the new shelter has been slow, it has gotten a boost since news of the land purchase has gotten out and everyone at the organization is determined to get construction started on the new shelter.
“Make no mistake, this is going to happen,” he said. “How long it takes is up in the air, but we are moving forward almost everyday.”
Meanwhile, the organization is still providing shelter and adoption opportunities for homeless pets.
Dawson said despite the economy, the shelter adopted nearly 700 pets in 2009 — about 35 more than in 2008.
“It’s not much of an increase, but given the economy it’s pretty good,” he said. “And to think of nearly 700 animals going out the door from a facility that can only hold 40 animals at a time is even more astonishing.”
Those interested in donating to the new shelter can do it on the organization’s Web site at www.bfhs.com or at the shelter. If they want to make sure their donation is used for the new shelter, instead of everyday shelter operations, they should designate that in the memo portion of their check or let shelter workers know.
Dawson said the BFHS is also preparing for its Crab Feed 2010, the organization’s annual fundraiser. Proceeds go into the shelter’s general fund for operations. The Crab Feed will be 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 23 at St. Joseph’s PAC at 901 W. Fourth Ave. in Kennewick. The cost is $36 per person and the meal includes fresh Dungeness crab, coleslaw, baked beans, mashed potatoes and garlic bread.
For tickets, call the Benton-Franklin Humane Society at 374-4235 or stop by their offices at 8620 W. Gage Blvd. in Kennewick.
by Mary Hopkin
Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business
