Forty years is a long time to wait for a dream to come to fruition, but long-time supporters of a new, bigger animal shelter in Chatham-Kent don’t have to wait any longer.
With an official ground-breaking at the new Park Avenue location done, construction on the 6,300-square-foot facility can begin, making more room for rescued animals, adoptions, green space and a community room for fun and education.
If you talk to Dr. Bruce Warwick, a shelter volunteer for four decades, and a huge supporter of the new shelter project, there are many people who put in the work over the years to keep the current shelter going and raised funds for the new shelter.
The fact the new facility is a municipal building, brought to life by public fundraising, is a collaboration Warwick can see setting the tone for future partnerships between important community needs and municipal council.
Working together to make things happen that are important to the people of Chatham-Kent is a trend that should continue. Not only will the building be bigger so PAW staff and animals aren’t stacked on top of one another, the potential for education, more adoptions and community outreach is unlimited.
Opportunities for school children to learn more about animal care and rescue, and outreach to seniors in long-term care facilities are added bonuses that never could have happened easily in the current location.
Fundraising co-chairs Art Stirling and Marjorie Crew, with municipal council and senior staff and the hundreds of people who worked hard to raise 50 per cent of the funds, deserve a huge round of thanks from the community for their dedication, perseverance and willingness to put in the work to get the job done.
By early next year, Chatham-Kent should have a new facility to be proud of and will have set a positive example of how to work together to fill a need in the community.
