New shelter planned

Proposed plans for a new animal shelter were announced Thursday night at the Monroe County Humane Association's kick-off for Campaign Humane. The campaign aims to raise $2.5 million to build a new animal shelter and education center, as well as launch an aggressive spay and neuter program.\nCurrently the Monroe County Animal Shelter only has half of the capacity required by national Humane standards. \nState Representative Mark Kruzan said the project is as high of a priority as any other project in the city. \n"Anyone who doubts the need for an expanded facility need only go visit the current shelter," said Kruzan, also the honorary chairman for the shelter. "It's not an appropriate source for employees doing stressful work, nor is it conducive to the general public to try and adopt the animals."\nKruzan also said expansion is long over due.\n"This is really an investment for the next 20 years," he said. "The last expansion was in 1984. It's well past time for another." \nOther than increased size, the shelter will boast separate rooms for people to meet adoptable animals and a barn for farm animals, which the shelter often encounters.\nThe new shelter will bring Monroe County well up to the national standard.\n"I think the shelter will become a model and a benchmark, especially for the Midwest," Executive Director of Monroe County Animal Shelter Erica De Santis said. "A lot of progressive thinking has been put into it for people and animals."\nSo far the campaign has received $1 million in pledges towards the final goal. Mayor John Fernandez recently pledged $500,000 over the next three years to the new shelter. But last week, Gov. Frank O'Bannon cut $150,000 of Build Indiana funds the shelter was to receive.\nDespite the minor setback, campaign director Maria Heslin believes Campaign Humane will reach its goal through special fundraising events and community support.\n"I feel confident that these funds will come through," Heslin said. "We'll be looking to the community and individuals for continued support."\nCampaign Humane will also provide funds to renovate the current animal shelter into the MCHA Humane Education Center. The center will house a library and a training room where entire classes can receive animal education. Dog training classes will also be offered through the center.\nDe Santis said the education center is important for animal control.\n"We need to hit education hard at all angles if we really want to improve our situation," she said.\nFunds from the campaign will also help launch project ASAP! (Aggressive Spay/Neuter Assistance Program). ASAP! aims to lower the costs of spay and neuter operations.\n"We need to make the services more affordable and accessible," De Santis said.\nKruzan said the new shelter will help improve its working environment.\n"The county population has risen, the city population has risen and so has the population of animals," Kruzan said. "Every day people are working at the shelter with some very unwanted tasks at not a high salary.\n"The least we can do is provide a positive place for those people to work"