More than 70 people braved the 100-plus-degree weather Friday afternoon for the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new $720,000 Jessamine County Animal Shelter near City-County Park.
"Sometimes we get to do things that reflect our values,” said Dave Carlstedt, representing the Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce. “And as we're developing things that are near to our hearts, when we are doing things for our youth programs and when we're investing in recreation and the arts, those are things that reflect our values, and an animal shelter reflects our values.”
The new shelter is significantly larger than the old facility (9,000 versus 1,600 square feet); it includes dedicated office areas as well as public holding areas for dogs, cats and other animals that have been vaccinated and have been evaluated as “adoptable.”
“The new shelter is the culmination of a lot of hard work and planning,” public-services director Mike Cassidy said. “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to give chamber members, state officials and grant donors the opportunity to get a close-up look at the facilities."
Non-public areas in the shelter hold animals that are waiting for evaluation and/or those animals that have been evaluated as vicious or diseased.
Shelter officials will hold an open house Saturday, June 30, from 1-4 p.m.
The open house will also include an “Ask A Vet” booth, a stuffed-animal check-up (vet techs will check stuffed animals and give them a certificate), face painting and more.
For more information, call the Jessamine County Animal Shelter at 859-881-0821, visit www.jessamineco.com.
