Excitement is in the air as the Erath County Humane Society begins to move towards a new, much needed animal shelter.
The move towards the new shelter began with the help of a $200,000 grant from Cross Works Foundation, which was used to buy the 17 acres off CR 454 in 2022.
“A person associated with the foundation had adopted a dog from us in 2017 and was shocked at how little space we had,” said Executive Director Serena Wright.
Then in October 2023, another $50,000 grant was received from Cross Works Foundation allowing them to move forward with Shelter Planners of America to have architectural designs drawn up.
“It’s almost completely done. We are expecting the final plans in September,” she said.
Once plans are in hand, the Humane Society will begin getting bids from contractors and a firm number to give to the public for fundraising efforts.
Some of those efforts will include paving stones with names on them for the sidewalk, along with the ability to have certain rooms such as the cat room or kennels named after individuals who share the Humane Society’s love of animals.
“Eventually we would love to have a medical room on site where we can have vets come in to do spay and neuter without transports,” Wright said.
The preliminary plans for the new facility include a covered walkway from the lobby to the back of the building where about 70 indoor/outdoor kennels will be housed.
“I’m so excited to have more space. We won’t have to worry about it being cold or flooding and with it being easily sanitized we won’t have to worry about Parvo so much,” she said. “I’m so excited. We’ve been in the same place since the 1970s.”
The shelter can also be easily expanded in the future.
Preliminary fundraising efforts for the new shelter have been occurring and are continuing including a special event this weekend – Canines and Coffee from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 in the field next to the animal shelter on 891 East Road in Stephenville.
The event will include more than 30 vendors, live music and well-known TikTok-er Nick Luciano with his pups Bullet and Maverick.
In addition to raising money for the new shelter there will be adoption specials for kittens, cats, puppies and dogs, nail trimming for dogs and $10 microchipping, along with bounce houses, face painting, temporary tattoos and games.
You can make a taxexempt donation to the shelter through PayPal or Venmo @echs19.
Checks can be mailed to Erath County Humane Society, P.O. Box 2006, Stephenville, TX 76401.
Tax-exempt letters with the 501(c)(3) status and EIN will be given upon request.
Though fundraising is paramount, with 82 dogs and 56 cats currently at the Humane Society, Wright had one message: “Please spay and neuter your pets.”
Those needing assistance transporting a pet to get fixed can call the Humane Society as they transport a crew of animals to TCAP in Weatherford each month. Though owners are required to pay for the spay and neuter in advance, the Humane Society will take the pet, transport them, stay with them and bring them back to the owners.
“We have dates set aside each month,” she said.
For more information go to erathcounty humanesociety.com or call (254) 965-3247.
To see digital plans of the new shelter, go to www. dublincitizen. com.