Dec 5, 2017 3 min read

The executive director of Washington Area Humane Society said Tuesday unless her group can construct a new facility for caring for stray and abandoned animals, its current building will probably have to close within the next two years.

Kelly Proudfit, who became the society’s first director less than two years ago, made the comment during her request for $500,000 during the second day of presentations from nonprofits to the Local Share Account panel for a portion of funds provided by slot machine revenue from The Meadows Casino.

Proudfit and WAHS Chairman David Kassekert told the panel the society raised $3.5 million to put toward a new 11,000-square-foot shelter. They are seeking $500,000 in LSA funds to make up the difference.

“If we don’t get this funding, we’ll probably have to close in the next couple of years,” Proudfit said, noting the current 7,000-square-foot structure in North Strabane Township, in use since 1950, “is crumbling around us.”

Proudfit said the shelter exists on private donations and has a staff of 19 full- and part-time employees and 250 volunteers to care for the 1,000 animals it takes in each year. It operates seven days a week.

The society has a total of 5 acres at its site. If its new project receives full funding, it would be built on land above the current structure. Upon completion, the original structure would be demolished.

According to Proudfit, the shelter cares for animals that come from every corner of the county. In addition to caring for and finding homes for the stray cats and dogs – it arranged 850 adoptions in 2016 – it also spayed and neutered 700 animals last year.

While stating the shelter received “unbelievable public support,” Proudfit said, “We have to maintain services while we continue to raise money” for the capital project.

The humane society was among 27 nonprofits to provide brief presentations to the LSA board Tuesday.

Other presentations included a $64,000 request from Aging Services of Washington County for renovation of the kitchen of Bentleyville Senior Center, which is nearing completion of an upgrade in the remainder of the facility.

The panel also heard a request for $193,000 in funds for a new roof for Avella Community Center, as well as a $381,690 request from Rotary International for the second phase of the renovation of Washington Park Main Pavilion, which recently received a new roof.

The panel met behind closed doors to hear a request from Greater Washington County Food Bank to purchase land for the expansion of the food bank’s farm, which grows produce to provide to its recipients.

Panel Chairman Jeff Kotula said the panel will discuss the 72 requests it heard over the past two days and determine the recipients within the next two weeks. It will then present its final list to county commissioners.

Once approved by commissioners, the list is forwarded to the state Department of Community and Economic Development, which disburses the funds to the recipients.