Proposal: $6 million animal shelter
Planners aim to raise funds for ‘green’ facilityBy RAYMOND L. SMITH Tribune Chronicle
Article Photos
Fact Box
AMENITIES
The proposed Animal Welfare Care & Education Center would feature:
- A dedicated maternity ward;
- A multi-table grooming room;
- Six adoption suites separated by partitions and interior windows;
- Animal exercise areas and an adjacent dog park.
CHAMPION - A proposed $6 million Animal Welfare Care & Education Center next to the Trumbull Career and Technical Center not only would be a boon to stray animals, it also would encourage training programs to attract new veterinarians to the area.
A fundraising campaign is set to begin for the state-of-the-art center that would use totally "green" technology, a group proposing the clinic announced Wednesday morning.
"We need to replace the Animal Welfare League's current location because it is in bad condition, is too small for our current needs, its cement floor is cracked and we have to worry about disease being spread around when contagious animals come in," Caryn Covelli, one of the people spearheading fundraising, said. ''We constantly have to turn animals away because there is no room."
The current center at 545 Brunstetter Road S.W. in Lordstown is more than 25 years old and can hold up to 100 animals.
"We also have the Howland pound," she said. "We are having some dogs taken there adopted, but most are being put down."
The new center would be a 24,500-square-foot facility that would hold up to 250 animals.
Under the proposal, the Trumbull County Dog Shelter would work in the same facility as the volunteer Animal Welfare League. It would serve as a place where stray and abandoned animals will be treated, housed and placed for adoption, as well as an educational facility for those interested in veterinary medicine.
The facility would provide a full-service veterinary clinic with exam rooms, surgery and a lab.
Dr. Rufus Sparks, a veterinarian with Town and Country Veterinarian Hospital, said, "We will be working with TCTC to expand an Animal Management Technology program that will allow its high school students to learn to work with animals," Sparks said. "What we have to offer the kids is unreal.
"The students learn about the care of animals, including teeth cleaning and animal grooming," he said.
"We will be a part of an existing TCTC program,'' Sparks said. "They need far more floor space."
The group is talking to Kent State University Trumbull Campus officials about beginning a veterinarian technician program in which students would work with local veterinarians. Having a technician program in Trumbull County would help area veterinarian office because it is difficult to attract licensed veterinarian technician to move into the area, Sparks said.
Covelli, Sparks and Charles Bentz, chairman of the Bentz Group, a national fundraising company based in Warren, are heading the private-public fundraising campaign to raise the money to build the clinic and shelter by 2011.
Estimated construction cost is $4.7 million, plus an additional $200,000 for features that will make it energy efficient. It would cost another $600,000 for professional services and materials.
The group is pushing the campaign now because federal stimulus money is available.
"We've talked to every local political leader in the area and they all seem to be on board with the idea," Covelli said. "They would love to have this happen because they are inundated with calls about stray animals."
Trumbull County commissioners agreed to lease about five acres of land for the project site for $1 a year.
"If they raise enough money to make this successful, our participation would include having some of our dog licensing fees going to the facility," Commissioner Frank Fuda said. "It would be great for all of our stray animals."
It would be one of the first totally green technology animal shelters in the nation, planners said. The building will use a fraction of the energy to operate because it will maximize the use of solar, geothermal and other energy-saving technologies in its construction.
"It will capture and use rain water for cleaning and other purposes," Sparks said. "It will use geothermal technologies to heat and cool the building during the winter and summer months, and it will use solar panels to provide electric power."
Trumbull County's Animal Welfare was incorporated in 1971 and established in 1984. It provides an adoption center, cruelty and neglect investigations, a lost-and-found center, rescue services, an inmate training program and low-cost veterinarian services.
|
jonathon
|
|
|---|---|
|
07-07-09 11:12 PM
|
what's wrong with spending 100,000 or so on remodeling the current structure????Seems to make more sense than going crazy to the tune of 6million. If it would be built I wonder where all the money to operate it will come from?????????????
|
|
marsh29
|
|
|
07-04-09 10:27 AM
|
I give this shelter a year before it closes its doors due to lack of funding and no customers being able to afford outragous vet fees
|
|
moonie
|
|
|
07-03-09 6:48 PM
|
truthhurts - I'm glad you explained your point more. You were sort of going off at first without explaining exactly what you meant. I do understand your point and you are probably not alone in that others probably fel the way that you do. I DO donate to human charities and we take food down to the Mission often as well. I also donate to a number of animal charities because animals are close to my heart. If Mrs. Covelli wants to fundraise for this, why not let her? At least something will get done that will be of benefit to the area. It would create jobs, education and would help the homeless animals. We have quite a stray animal problem in this county. Geauga County has quite a nice animal shelter and it has really helped with their stray dog and cat problems. We really need that here....and I don't disagree that we need better human shelters as well. But these are two different things.
|
|
truthhurts
|
|
|
07-03-09 2:02 PM
|
moonie...The thing is I DONT HAVE TO DO THOSE THINGS BECAUSE THEY ARE ALREADY BEING DONE. There are a dozen different boards, steering comitees, fundraising efforts, on behalf of local shelters. IF YOU ACTUALLY DONATE YOU WOULD KNOW THIS. The problem is all these business' cry broke and local administration cries economy.BUT low and behold, Ms. Covelli and her cromies get together and suddenly everyone has money for a new animal shelter. Again the problem I have is with the various idiot administrations to be so gung ho over it. The same ones who just denied the warren family mission extra cash due to "budget crisis". Maybe I am a bit over zealous in my contempt for this proposal. It definately will be of some benefit. But I just wish that the fundraising efforts were as if not more spirited when its time to fundraise for people.
|
|
moonie
|
|
|
07-03-09 1:44 PM
|
Chowpitnrot - those are all excellent points. We need the jobs and the education, and the animals need the space and care.
|
|
moonie
|
|
|
07-03-09 1:42 PM
|
truthhurts - I donate to both human charities AND animal charities. And I didn't say that you should value children over animals - please re-read what I wrote. However, I'm sick of EVERY TIME it is said that ANIMALS will get something, someone cries foul because HUMANS don't have the same thing. If you want a better homeless shelter, then why don't you get involved in fundraising to make it happen? Why not head up a committee to get the Warren Family Mission more of what it needs? Or is it just easier for you to say that animals shouldn't get ANYTHING because there are still people suffering? There will ALWAYS be human suffering in our country - but that doesn't mean that we can't do something for animals too.
|
|
truthhurts
|
|
|
07-03-09 9:32 AM
|
oops didnt mean to post that many times. glich in the computer
|
|
truthhurts
|
|
|
07-03-09 9:17 AM
|
moonie...when is the last time you ever heard of a state of the art 6 million dollar homless shelter? I used to work at one and please believe me when I tell you it was a MESS. There was sooo much renovation needing done to it. No computers no job training. Just a cot and hot food fr 30 days then back on the streets you go. There were CHILDREN who lived in these conditions. So excuse those of us who value people over kitty cats!
|
|
truthhurts
|
|
|
07-03-09 9:17 AM
|
moonie...when is the last time you ever heard of a state of the art 6 million dollar homless shelter? I used to work at one and please believe me when I tell you it was a MESS. There was sooo much renovation needing done to it. No computers no job training. Just a cot and hot food fr 30 days then back on the streets you go. There were CHILDREN who lived in these conditions. So excuse those of us who value people over kitty cats!
|
|
truthhurts
|
|
|
07-03-09 9:12 AM
|
moonie...only an idiot would put animals over homeless humans. what 6 MILLION DOLLAR shelters for humans do you know of? The warren mission is constantly begging for money for food and shelter for human families so you really think people should givwe a care a bout a dog when there are homeless people. Donate to whatever you want. Bt please dont be dumb enough to call idiots of those who value feeding children over stray cats!
|
|
Chowpitnrot
|
|
|
07-03-09 8:24 AM
|
I think this is a GREAT idea!!! It will create jobs and students who are interested in the veterinary field won't have to relocate. Too many wonderful animals are put down due to lack of space. Till recently MOST Trumbull residents didn't even know there was a pound in Howland. This facility will attract vet specialists (orthapedic, neurological etc.)to our area instead have having to take your pet to hospitals in Akron or surrounding areas. This facility will bring people into OUR area which will help area shops & restaurants while their pets are being treated or in surgery. Yes some animals will still be put down but at least they won't be GASSED - their life will end humanely.
|
|
moonie
|
|
|
07-03-09 7:56 AM
|
Here we go. Every time an animal charity or new facility for animals comes up, some idiot says "What about 6 million dollars for people instead?" There are VERY FEW animal charities out there and there are TONS of human charities. If you feel that the human charities need more money, then feel free to donate to those. I, for one, will be donating to this animal facility. It's about time we had decent facilities for the strays in this area.
|
|
BobJenkins
|
|
|
07-02-09 8:16 PM
|
EAT THEM!! Ms. Covelli, your husband serves much meat. Let's not be picky. Save $6 million. Have you driven down the west side of Market Street lately?
|
|
truthhurts
|
|
|
07-02-09 5:44 PM
|
pandora...p.s ...yes people make mistakes that cost them big time. yes animals are in a sense innocent. but people deserve second chances and all they need SOMETIMES is oppertunity. that's what the shelters should be about for humans. that's why sm people feel that this money could be better served. but in the end it IS being funded through private donations but the stimulus money SHOULD NOT be used in excess to fund an endeavor like this.
|
|
truthhurts
|
|
|
07-02-09 5:35 PM
|
I'm glad u saved a few bucks on ur pooch but so what? it is not a win win. these inmates dnt need a sense of accomplishment for training dogs. they need a skill that will give them a viable chance to find employment upon return to society. do you know how hard it is for felons to get work? then they re commit crimes and go right back to jail. this program is a waste of time. if u are going to occupy their time and energy while locked up at least teach them smthing they can use I the real world. pet smart is not hiring convicted felons!
|
|
Mobboss
|
|
|
07-02-09 2:17 PM
|
How about a sx million dollar shelter for humans ? You know, people ?
|
|
princeoftheinternet
|
|
|
07-02-09 1:46 PM
|
This is needed, yet so is so many other things. I think if this is done with private money great. If tax dollars are used I will be upset. Spend the tax dollars on the people in need. I would love to donate to this project, and think many people would as well.
|
|
Pandora
|
|
|
07-02-09 12:42 PM
|
truthhurts...The inmate training program is a great thing! It's a win/win for everybody. I'm going to adopt a dog from this program next week when he's done with his training. I will get a dog that has all it's shots (over $100. at a vet), been fixed ($150), and has been trained ($100. at PetSmart) for $130.00 at the animal welfare. This is great for me and the selected inmate should have a sense of accomplishment for giving this dog a chance to find a home. Everyone's always complaining they don't do anything and when they do you complain. What's so wrong with that???
|
|
henryviii
|
|
|
07-02-09 12:35 PM
|
C'mon folks, why not spend the $6 million on human needs. It would only require a few well placed bullets from each of us to correct the stray dog problem.
|
|
Pandora
|
|
|
07-02-09 12:32 PM
|
People have a choice in life to become educated, and do well for themselves. They make the choice not to go to work, not to take their meds, not to have kids they can't afford, etc. Animals do not have this choice so I don't understaned why everyones comparing the two. This facility seems like with will be run much more effeciently than the current which should untimatly cost less. If people choose to donate their money to this cause it is their choice. I think it's a good idea.
|
|
henryviii
|
|
|
07-02-09 12:31 PM
|
Drone, that was hilarious! ! !
|
|
TrollingDrones
|
|
|
07-02-09 12:13 PM
|
Sybil;you hit an all time stupid with these last 5 posts..
|
|
UneducatedDrone
|
|
|
07-02-09 12:08 PM
|
MarkAnimallControlNlies, After reading your post, please tell me you don't actually have a drivers' license, lol. (-:
|
|
Handala
|
|
|
07-02-09 11:47 AM
|
Sure Mark,lets spend money we don't have for animal welfare instead of human welfare!You think you got alot of strays to deal with in Niles you should live in the northern tier of the county where townies dump their unwanted rots,pits etc.!Wonder what CSB could do with 6 MILLION DOLLARS to improve the lives of abused,abandoned children!?Hmm?
|
|
Psjames
|
|
|
07-02-09 11:45 AM
|
Why can't this money be used to provide cheaper or free spay and neutering services to control the strays. The last thing we need is another high priced overcompensated vet in the area. I cannot take any of our pets to one without being charged almost a hundred dollars without any specail care. It doesn't cost us that much to take our kids to the doctor for a routine visit. The sad thing is when we first started going to Dr. Papp at his old facility it wouldn't drain my account like it does when we go to their NEW MODERN facility at Town and Country, just like will happen with this state of the art facility to house strays and may I say not that many more. When most will still be put down.
|
