GUELPH– The Guelph Humane Society (GHS) is only weeks away from moving into its new home at 190 Hanlon Creek Boulevard in the south end of Guelph, with plans to gain occupancy in early spring 2021.
But there is one catch: GHS has not yet reached its fundraising goals for the new building.
“We’re calling upon our community and really asking them to give to this project,” says Adrienne McBride, executive director at GHS.
“We’re about 75% of the way to our $10 million goal. And with COVID-19 restrictions in place for the majority of the last year, this time has been especially challenging for our organization.”
In a brand-new video released by GHS, the public is given a brief look inside the new building, as well as specific details about the facility. The video is available at www.UnleashingHope.ca
From an outdoor “catio” for cats to explore the sounds and scents of outside, to large exercise runs outside for dogs to burn off energy and explore their new world, the building at 190 Hanlon Creek Boulevard will be more reflective of today’s standards of animal welfare.
It will have adoption rooms, where families can spend some time with their new pet before bringing it home, and a community room for fundraisers, workshops, and training.
“We wanted to build something that was more than just an animal shelter,” adds McBride.
“GHS has been in our current location for more than 50 years. Our team is doing such incredible work, and we need a space that reflects that. We also wanted to make sure we created a space that brought our community in. Think of it as a community animal centre.”
The old building is cramped, “and doesn’t reflect the work we are doing,” she says in the video.
Dr. Shane Bateman, chair of the GHS board, refers to the new building as “a beacon of animal care and animal welfare, not only for our community but across the country,” in the video.
$2.5 million needed
To complete the building however, the GHS needs another $2.5 million.
“We look at this project as an investment, and we’re looking to our community to invest in us,” McBride says.
To view the newly released video, or to learn more about donating to the new GHS building, head to www.UnleashingHope.ca.
