Oct 4, 2018 4 min read

Washington Area Humane Society has been living up to its name for more than a century — providing humane care for companion animals and being widely praised for it. But operators of the facility have faced a perplexing challenge in recent times: the 7,500-square foot building, which temporarily houses up to 50 dogs and 50 cats, is cramped and outdated.

About three years ago, there were plans to erect a new and larger structure, but a lack of funds forced the humane society’s board of directors to dash that pursuit. The directors, however, have displayed dogged determination since and a new temporary home is on its way.

Ground was broken Sept. 13 for a 10,000-square-foot building to be built in front of the current one along Route 136 in North Strabane Township. Construction is in the rough, early stages, but blueprints call for a state-of-the-art facility that can house 60 dogs and 60 cats in a more comfortable environment, as they await adoption.

“I’ve been on the board for five years and have often been told, ‘A new building will be coming one of these days.’ Well, we’re finally going to do it,” Dave Kassekert, president of the board of directors, said at the groundbreaking ceremony. “For some time, we’ve been very limited in what we can do in what is sitting behind here — the old facility. We want to improve operations, provide better care for the animals.”

Kelly Proudfit, executive director of the humane society the past two years, echoed those sentiments. “This is long overdue,” she said. “This will increase space inside and outside. A better quality of care leads to a shorter stay and gives us a higher adoption rate.” 

Strada Architecture of Pittsburgh and Graziano Construction of O’Hara Township are contractors on this privately funded project, which is targeted for a summer 2019 completion.

The construction cost is no mere drop in the food dish, though. It is estimated at $5 million. The humane society — buoyed by fiscal responsibility of the current board and its predecessors, plus diligent fundraising — has secured about $4 million.

About $860,000 of that total has been raised by New Home, New Hope, a capital campaign that had been operating before the groundbreaking, but was introduced publicly that day. “We voted to raise $1.5 million, so we’re more than halfway there,” said Ami Andy Hillebrand, co-chair of New Home, New Hope with Dr. Jennifer Craig.

Individuals or groups may purchase naming rights for different amounts. The building itself would cost $500,000, and naming rights for rooms or areas run from $1,000 to $300,000.

In addition to donations, the humane society relies heavily on volunteers — more than 200 active ones, according to the executive director. There are 19 staffers, 12 full-time, seven part-time. Within a year, perhaps, they will be functioning in a building featuring:

** Six zones for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. The current place has one;

** A wellness clinic for spay/neuter surgeries;

** Three large play areas and a meet-and-greet room for dogs to have their day every day. There also will be a meet-and-greet room on the cat side;

** A “real life” room for animals that need a more quiet, comfortable environment;

** A holding area for humane case animals. Humane officers, animal control officers, dog wardens and police will have 24/7 keypad access;

** A private area at the kennel for stray dogs while their owners are being sought;

** Space for community events and education programs for area residents;

** A donor wall with tags of different colors designating amounts given, ranging from $100 to $1,000-plus.

After moving into its new digs for dogs and cats, the humane society will have the existing building razed. An already-approved $300,000 grant from the Washington County local share account will cover that cost.    

The groundbreaking ceremony on a sunny September morning attracted a sizable crowd, including about a half-dozen elected officials. All three Washington County commissioners were on hand: Larry Maggi, Diana Irey Vaughan and Harlan Shober. 

Maggi, a former Pennsylvania State Police trooper, said: “This is an exciting time for the humane society. When I was with the state police and we’d see animals in distress, you could always rely on contacting the humane society. They were always there to help. It’s one of the largest no-kill animal shelters around.”

State Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Carroll Township, spoke briefly about Libre’s Law, which was enacted in Pennsylvania a year ago in response to a push for stronger animal-abuse laws in the commonwealth.

“We’ve seen a lot of change relating to animal abuse,” said Bartolotta, who, as a lawmaker, added a pledge: “We will do everything to pass legislation to protect our four-legged family members.”

Those were comforting words for the canines and felines within earshot, on a property where work on a comfortable space is underway.