ADRIAN TWP. — The Lenawee Humane Society plans to begin construction in October on its new shelter, which will be on the campus of ProMedica Hickman Hospital.

The project will take place in multiple phases.

“Phase 1 will cover all of the animal needs because that’s the most important part,” said Marcie Cornell, executive director of the Humane Society.

The first phase includes an improved shelter space and more capacity in the veterinary clinic.

Dogs at the new shelter will have indoor/outdoor kennels allowing them to go in and out on their own. The outdoor portion of the kennels will open directly onto the play yard, so that staff and volunteers don’t need to walk them through the rest of the shelter when taking them for exercise.

Another improvement is that people who are going through the emotionally difficult process of surrendering a pet will no longer be in the same lobby as people adopting a pet. Currently, Cornell said, “all of those emotions are happening at the same time in one space.”

The new shelter will also have more clinic capacity, Cornell said, which will lead to shorter wait times for veterinary services.

Construction is expected to take about 12 months. 

The Humane Society has a $7.2 million fundraising target for Phase 1 and has raised about $4.7 million so far. The group currently has a $150,000 matching challenge running, and is soliciting donations to meet that match, Cornell said.

Future goals include adding an education center and a sallyport, and the Humane Society would also eventually like to be able to offer boarding and daycare services.

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