It’s been three years in the making, but ground will break Friday, June 16, for the new cat intake and isolation facility at the Patti Dale Animal Shelter.
“It’s exciting to finally be at the building permit stage. It’s been a long journey but were are ready,” said LAPS executive director Jayne Nelson.
Community support has been‘amazing’ and it couldn’t have gone this far without it, said Nelson.
The intake and isolation facility, nicknamed the ‘ISOasis’ is the first of its kind in Canada, providing space for around 40 cats and kittens, offering five isolation suits for felines with contagious illnesses such as ringworm or upper respiratory infections. There will be three cat condos, an intake room and multi-purpose room.
“This facility will help us provide even better service. It will also free up space at our shelter so we can help even more animals,” said Nelson.
The hope is to have the 1,400 square foot building open in late fall.
LaFarge Canada is donating the foundation of the building.
“That was huge for us,” said Nelson. ENM Construction, the main contractor, has worked wonders to make the ISOasis possible, she said.
Township of Langley has been on board from the beginning, offering to cover up to 40 per cent of the budget up to $225,000.
“The Township is so progressive,”
The recent Mews at ISOasis cat condo sale/fundraiser raised $35,000 and the gala in the fall raised a lot of the funds.
The support goes
Longtime supporters and volunteers with LAPS also came to the table. The Dumonts donated $60,000 and are fostering a senior dog right now, added Nelson. Karen Hunt did seven races in seven months, raising $7,000 for the ISOasis.
There has also been support from around the world.
A woman from Idaho bought a cat condo with the upgrades before they even went up for sale, said Nelson.
A group of online supporters got together to buy a condo for $6,500.
But the $591,000 building still needs a couple more donations to get all the interior finishings realized.
“We are short about $25,000 for the interior finishings,” she said.
Langley has a booming cat population. To combat the crisis, LAPS hold free spay and neuter campaigns as well as annual Kitty Round-Ups, where staff and volunteers will come pick up unwanted litters or pregnant cats, no questions asked.
The ground breaking ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. This will be followed by LAPS’annual Heroes wine and cheese thank you event at Patti Dale Animal Shelter.
If you would like to donate to the ISOasis click here.