New
Shelter
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P.A.W.S.
SELECTS SITE
FOR NEW ANIMAL SHELTER
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UPDATE: P.A.W.S.
Purchases Building
and Land for New Shelter.
The final closing is completed for the purchase of the 8 acre site
which includes a building that P.A.W.S. will convert into the shelter
facility. The facility is located in Lawrenceburg on Charles
A.
Liddle Drive, just off of Industrial Drive. (see previous story???)
The new animal shelter, to be called “P.A.W.S. of Dearborn
County
Humane Center,” will be owned and operated by
P.A.W.S.
Under its proposed agreement with the county, P.A.W.S. will be
responsible for animal care, while the county will remain responsible
for animal control. This model of a non-profit/governmental
partnership has become the norm throughout the country.
P.A.W.S.
and county leaders believe this collaboration is a win-win-win
opportunity: for the county, the residents, and the animals.
Released
Mar.
5th, 2010
P.A.W.S.
of Dearborn County, Inc. has chosen the location for its new animal
shelter. The new shelter, which P.A.W.S. will own and operate, will be
located in Lawrenceburg on Charles A. Liddle Drive, just off of
Industrial Drive. The 8 acre site includes a building that P.A.W.S.
will convert into the shelter facility.
P.A.W.S. has signed a contract of purchase for the land and building
with the owner of Lawrenceburg Motorsports. The closing will be within
60 days, pending satisfaction of contract contingencies.
The site and building formerly housed Lawrenceburg Motorsports. The
building’s large, open floor plan is ideal for conversion to
the
requirements of the animal shelter. The park-like setting, next to Ivy
Tech and a large lake, is likewise ideal. Wooded trails that were
formerly used for testing off-road vehicles will be perfect for walking
dogs.
While
the setting for the new shelter is somewhat rural, its Lawrenceburg
location places it conveniently near the hub of activity and the
county’s population center. It is about a mile off of Bielby
Road, entering Industrial Drive at the foot of the hill by the UPS
Store. Furthermore, the location already has full hook-up to water,
sewage, electricity and natural gas lines -- an important consideration.
Known simply as P.A.W.S., the Partners for Animal Welfare Society of
Dearborn County is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to
improving the lives of unwanted and abandoned dogs and cats in our
county. Founded in 2001, P.A.W.S. has worked side-by-side with the
Dearborn County Animal Shelter for many years.
In 2007 and 2008, P.A.W.S. successfully spearheaded a campaign to build
a new, desperately needed animal shelter for Dearborn County to replace
the current county shelter, on County Farm Road in Manchester. Through
myriad fund-raisers and donations, the community generously contributed
$1.8 million for P.A.W.S. to build the architect-designed facility and
then give it to the county for operation. Construction was to have
begun in 2009.
Plans stalled when county officials questioned the county’s
fiscal ability to maintain and operate the new shelter. Last fall, the
county appointed a task force to study concerns and move the project
forward.
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Based on options
presented to P.A.W.S. by the county at the
task force committee, and after much research of shelters in other
counties, P.A.W.S. made a proposal to build, own and operate the new
shelter, and enter into a contract with Dearborn County for space for
its animal control services and the housing of stray animals.
P.A.W.S.
has received approval from county leaders to move forward with this
proposal. The organization is in the process of finalizing details with
the task force committee.
While searching for land for the shelter, P.A.W.S. was shown the
Lawrenceburg site.
“We
fully intended to build the shelter from ground-up, according to the
plans that our architect created,” said P.A.W.S. president
Sandy
Carley. “But this piece of land and its location are
absolutely
perfect. Our architect has studied the building and determined that it
is absolutely doable to convert the interior into the animal shelter
that our community has worked so hard to have.”
Carley
added that the floor plans as originally designed will be adapted so
that all naming opportunities that were a part of the donation process
will be honored.
“The new shelter isn’t the end-goal for P.A.W.S.
It’s
really just the beginning,” said Carley.
“We are so
excited to be moving forward, and so appreciative of the
community’s support and generosity. The new shelter is truly
a
win-win-win opportunity -- for the county, for the residents and --
most importantly -- for the animals.”
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Founded
in 2001, Partners for Animal Welfare Society of Dearborn County, Inc.
is an all-volunteer, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to
improving the lives of unwanted and abandoned dogs and cats in Dearborn
County, Indiana. Since its founding, P.A.W.S. has helped nearly 8,000
dogs and cats at a cost of more than $300,000. For years,
P.A.W.S. has completely paid for the spay/neuter program at
the
county animal shelter, for a companion animal voucher program, and for
much of the medical care of shelter animals -- including lab work,
x-rays, medications and surgery. P.A.W.S. stages frequent
adoption events, and offers foster homes for shelter animals. P.A.W.S.
raises the funds to support its many programs through fund-raisers,
private and civic donations, and grants.
The
success of the new animal shelter will continue to hinge on the support
of residents of Dearborn County and others. The building is
only
the first step. PAWS will need the help of volunteers and donors for
this shelter to be the best that it can be – a successful and
safe haven for the stray and abandoned animals of our
county.
Thank
You for the homeless
animals in Dearborn County that can not speak for themselves.
You
have made a
"Difference"
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Features, Advantages
& Benefits of Task
Force Committee Proposal
(This is a preliminary proposal at this time) |
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The
Task Force Committee has reviewed and approved P.A.W.S.’
proposal to build and own the new shelter and have full and complete
control of the construction and operation of the facility.
P.A.W.S. would enter into a contract with the county to provide office
space for animal control and housing and care of stray
animals.
We believe that, while this will take a lot of hard work and effort on
the part of the P.A.W.S. organization to provide considerable
additional funding for operating the new shelter – this is a
win,
win, win opportunity for the county, the residents and the animals.
Our current antiquated shelter harkens back to the “less than
modern day” buildings and sheltering practices of the
1960’s. Significant changes in attitude and modern
sheltering policies and procedures have taken place over the past 50
years. People have come to expect a higher level of care for
homeless animals than ever before. Upgrading to a modern
state-of-the-art facility will better meet the requirements and
expectations of our Dearborn County residents. The new
facility
will be just as much or more for the people as the animals.
Feature:
New Facility
• Advantages & Benefits
to the
county:
1. The new shelter will provide a safe, clean
environment for employees, patrons, and animals, resulting in less
chance of accidents and better employee/volunteer retention.
2. With proper equipment, employees will be able to
do their
jobs more effectively and efficiently.
3. As the monies to build the new shelter have been
raised by P.A.W.S., the county will reap the benefits with no capital
investment.
4. People needing to relinquish their pet may be
more
willing to bring their animal to the new facility rather than just turn
them loose. This will result in less strays, and save the
county
money and the animal control officer’s time.
5. The new shelter will be more human oriented
– attractive, and with sufficient amenities for people to
come to
visit, adopt, volunteer or for education.
6. It will be an inviting place where animals and
people can
get acquainted to form life-long relationships.
7. The new shelter will enhance our
county’s
reputation by being perceived as leaders and proponents for excellent
animal care.
Feature:
Outsourcing to Non-Profit Ownership & Management
• Advantages & Benefits
to the county:
1. Outsourcing the service of animal care &
sheltering to P.A.W.S. relieves a substantial burden of the cost to the
county.
2. The county would have no unnecessary or
unexpected
expenditures.
3. There would be no additional burden on taxpayers.
4. The management and administration regarding animal
care of stray, abandoned and relinquished animals would no longer be a
worry for the county.
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Continued
from previous column.....
Feature: Community Resource
P.A.W.S. goal is to make the new facility a valuable resource to the
community for animal welfare education, animal care & training
and
teaching on the importance of spay/neuter. As a
“humane
center” rather than just a shelter, P.A.W.S. will strive to
make
the facility the “go to” place for animal related
information, training, and activities for the county.
Advantages & Benefits to the county:
1. More education regarding responsible animal care
equals less stray animals. Less stray animals equals less
cost to
the county for animal control.
2. More education on the importance of spay/neuter
equals less unwanted pets. Less unwanted litters equals less
cost
to the county.
3. Books and videos will be available to assist
families with problems that might come up with their adopted pet, along
with helpful literature and brochures.
a. Helping adoptive families work through issues
with
their new pet may result in the pet being able to stay in their new
home and not returned to the shelter.
4. Working with children will be the best benefit
of
all. Educational programs for children of all ages will be
offered. The children have been the biggest supporters of the
animals. They are our future.
Feature: Perceptions - Collaboration & Cooperation
• Advantages & Benefits
to the county:
1. The combined effort of the county and P.A.W.S.
will make
for a better outcome.
2. It will facilitate a good balance for animal care
and
animal control.
3. With P.A.W.S. taking on the responsibility of
animal care, the animal control officers will be freed up to provide
more assistance to the community for animal control issues.
4. The county will be demonstrating more
progressive
thinking about animal care which will enhance the overall perception by
county residents and those in surrounding areas.
Dollars
and Cents:
Based
on budget discussions
with other shelters, along with county and
P.A.W.S. actual expenditures, and increased size and animal intake,
P.A.W.S. has prepared a “projected yearly budget based on
anticipated expenses and income.” (2011 budget)
Anticipated expenses for the new shelter per
year
$284,599
We are asking the county for a contract
amount of
$130,000
P.A.W.S. contribution to new shelter
operation
$159,500
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Dearborn
County Commissioners to announce bids for new shelter on
August 4th, 2009, could be awarded
August 18th, 2009. |
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For publication - week of
Sept.21, 2009
GUEST
COLUMN
P.A.W.S.
Board of Directors
Sandra
Carley, Robbin Pelfrey, Janet Luebbe, Audrey Snyder, Donna Bauer, Penny
Schroder, Carol Bamberger, Becky Foster, Genie Hebert, Dennis Monroe,
Penny Fisk.
Never,
never, never give up! That has been, and will continue to be, the motto
of P.A.W.S. -- the Partners for Animal Welfare Society of Dearborn
County.
The
monies needed to build a new Dearborn County Animal Shelter have been
in hand for nearly a year. This money was raised by P.A.W.S. through
the generosity and effort of thousands of county residents to give our
county the kind of shelter that our residents want and our animals
deserve. Throughout the entire planning and fund-raising effort, the
project has had the county’s blessing and encouragement.
More
than half of the money -- $1 million -- is sitting, in good
faith, in county coffers. By now, the construction of the
shelter
should have been well under way. We should be at an exciting crossroad
in our community. However, instead of a crossroad, it appears
that there is a roadblock.
Campaign
for a New Shelter
It
is no secret that the current animal shelter on County Farm Road in
Manchester, is literally crumbling beyond repair and is well below
accepted standards for animal care.
P.A.W.S.,
an all-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to improving the
lives of unwanted and abandoned animals, has worked side-by-side with
the shelter for years.
In
2004, P.A.W.S. first approached the Dearborn County Commissioners with
the proposal to raise the funds needed to build a new shelter for the
county, and began collecting donations for the new shelter.
In
early 2007, with the county’s blessing, P.A.W.S. launched the
official New Shelter Capital Campaign.
Through
an incredible number of fund-raisers, five annual Bark & Wine
galas, six massive rummage sales, participation at more then 20
festivals, contributions from local churches, schools, businesses and
organizations, individual donations large and small, grants large and
small, the City of Lawrenceburg’s generous donation as well
as
contributions from Greendale, Aurora and Dillsboro, the goal of $1.8
million was reached in less than two years!
Dime
by dollar, the money was raised for the new animal shelter. It was all
donated in good faith. P.A.W.S. is proud to be part of this
compassionate and charitable community. We offer our heartfelt
appreciation to everyone for their support -- financial and emotional
-- especially the children in our county, who have been overwhelmingly
involved.
Building
a Better Shelter
Architect
Darrell Sears designed the proposed shelter to be optimally efficient
and cost-effective in order to minimize operational costs to the
county. Geothermal heat, proper ventilation, and power washers are a
few of the features that Mr. Sears included in the design to save costs
for heating, disease control, and staffing. Efficiency was a
key
element in the design concept to minimize operational and staffing
costs.
P.A.W.S.
provided county leaders with informational packets that included
projections of future staffing needs, design plans, as well as
financials and campaign strategies. These packets addressed everything
from utilities such as heat and water, to a volunteer program that
would help control staffing costs.
Throughout
this entire process, P.A.W.S. has kept all information
transparent by continually updating the county, the City of
Lawrenceburg, and the public of the progress.
After
each of several presentations to
Dearborn County Council and Commissioners, the
P.A.W.S.
continued next column . . . .
UPDATE
- August
18, 2009. a month after the Dearborn County
Commisioners announced bids for the new Dearborn County Animal Shelter,
they advised they had received 7 bids for new shelter with no decision
or date
for awarding bid.
July
15, 2009, Dearborn County Commissioners' announced on Eagle 99.3 that
bids for the new shelter project will be announced at the August 4
commissioners' meeting. The bid could be awarded to the best contractor
at the next meeting two weeks later.
P.A.W.S.
would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Eagle Country
99.3FM radio for all of their support throughout the years
and
helping Dearborn County's homeless animals and animals in need.
"YOU HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE" ! ! !
We’re
On Our Way
As
you know, P.A.W.S.
original new shelter cost target was $1.6
million. We believed that P.A.W.S. would be able to build the shelter
and then donate it to the county. But this spring we found out that we
would be required to use prevailing wage for the construction since the
building would be a county-run facility. Adding a
25% prevailing wage adjustment, plus needing to place our architect
under contract with the county, the cost soared to nearly $2.1
million.
In
an effort to reduce costs and begin construction of the new shelter,
P.A.W.S. asked our architect to cut
back the overall size of the
shelter. By eliminating
the
garage wing,
one of two
offices,
and one of two
adoption rooms, slightly reducing the size of the Humane Education
Center, and reworking some of the room placements, our architect
successfully reduced the size of the building by 2, 100 sq.ft. This
lowered the $2.1 million for a new total of $1.75
million.
A
Clear Vision
The concept of the New Dearborn County Animal Shelter represents years
of planning and research. Members of the New Shelter
Committee
have spoken with several shelter designers and visited a variety of
facilities all across a 5-state area. Two of the committee
members even visited Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, the
largest sanctuary for companion animals in the country. The
committee met repeatedly to synthesize the best ideas from across the
country. The result is a traditional facility incorporating
non-traditional solutions.
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organization
was commended for its efforts and professionalism, and the tremendous
amount of work it was doing. At each juncture, P.A.W.S. was
encouraged to keep moving forward. Since 2004, more than 23 Register
Publication articles and 12 PAWprints newsletters have contained
information and updates about the campaign in an effort to keep the
public informed.
Because
the county and P.A.W.S. had developed such a good working relationship,
and with no indication to the contrary, there was no reason for
P.A.W.S. to believe there were problems brewing with the new shelter
project.
The
architect went under contract with the county in February,
2009. The drawings were turned over by the
architect to the
Commissioners in March, 2009. On a WSCH radio broadcast on
July
15, Commissioner Ralph Thompson announced that the drawings were going
out for construction bid. P.A.W.S. had every reason
to
believe that with the drawings approved and out for bid, everything was
on track.
The
first hint that P.A.W.S. had that there might be a problem, was a
comment made by the Dearborn County Auditor at the County Commissioners
meeting on July 21. After preparing the 2010 animal shelter budget, the
Auditor expressed his concern that with the added operating costs for
the new shelter, the county might not be able to break ground.
In
other words: a delay in the new Dearborn County Animal
Shelter.
Among other things, we can’t help but wonder why the county
encouraged P.A.W.S. with the fundraising campaign if they were not
prepared to operate the donated facility. Was any of the
research
with regard to operational savings and staffing for the new shelter
looked at by the county when the budget was prepared? If
asked,
during budget preparation for 2010 or any other time, P.A.W.S. would
have been glad to reiterate the ways that the new shelter was
specifically designed to keep operating costs lower. P.A.W.S.
is
concerned over the delays to build the shelter which will cause costs
to go up, and are anxious to continue the momentum to get it
built.
While
P.A.W.S. is ready and willing to help resolve whatever issues exist in
order to move forward, we cannot help but note that there are a few who
are needlessly stirring up the community with misinformation and
insinuations. This behavior is disparaging of P.A.W.S., and
disrespectful of all who have contributed to the new animal shelter. It
is counterproductive to a reasonable and successful resolution, and is
an embarrassment to our county.
P.A.W.S.’
objective has always been to help the animals in every way possible,
and the community has clearly shown that it supports the need for a new
shelter. Our growing community and our donors expect a modern animal
shelter that will adequately care for our homeless animals. Thousands
of residents privately donated the money to give our county the gift of
a new animal shelter, saving the county -- taxpayers -- the public cost
of building a new facility.
For
the sake of the animals, it is imperative to resolve issues and move
forward on this immediately.
Dearborn
County Commission President Ralph Thompson has called for a meeting of
the Dearborn County Commissioners and the Dearborn County Council to
discuss the future of the new animal shelter. The meeting is open to
the public, and we urge Dearborn County residents to attend the meeting
to hear the discussion and express their opinions. The meeting is at 7
p.m. Sept. 29 at the Dearborn County Administration Building, 215 W.
High St., Lawrenceburg.
P.A.W.S.
firmly believes that we can work together with the county in order to
proceed with the new shelter project.
With
current economy woes in mind, we are more than willing to come to the
table and discuss ways that P.A.W.S. can help so that the facility is
one that the county can afford to operate and maintain.
Underscoring
the motto Never Give Up, P.A.W.S. looks forward to sitting down with
the county leadership -- in good faith -- to figure things
out.
To enlarge
hold pointer over
picture.
"Muppet" has her "dogdozer" ready!
"Muppet" is practicing for the ground breaking!
"Muppet" the Official New Dearborn County Shelter's Spokesdog looking
over blueprints
to work!
We're ready to move....YOU HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE! THANK YOU
Architect's rendering of the New Dearborn County Animal Shelter
Architect's blueprint of the New Dearborn County Animal Shelter
Through the hard work
of
Darrell Sears, the architect who volunteered
his time and expertise for this project, the plans for the new shelter
are complete. Darrell is knowledgeable in both form ad
function
and his innovative design will serve us well for years to come.
The New shelter will greatly enhance our ability to rehabilitate and
place animals quickly. In addition to more than doubling the
number of dogs and cats we can accommodate, the new facility will
enable us to increase adoptions by providing a healthier environment
and spaces where animals and people can get to know each other well.
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P.A.W.S.
Of Dearborn
County,
Inc. 2009 All Rights Reserved.
(Partners
For
Animal Welfare
Society Of Dearborn County, Inc.)
P.O. Box 133, Guilford, IN 47022
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