Tuesday March 31st
HUG Project Underway!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: June 11, 2014
CONTACT: Jennifer Reichelt, Deputy City Manager – 455-8417
“HELP US GROW PROJECT” UNDERWAY AT THE GREAT FALLS ANIMAL SHELTER!
GREAT FALLS, Montana – The Great Falls Animal Shelter needs your help, but more importantly, the animals you care about need your help! Over the past year, staff at the Great Falls Animal Shelter (Shelter) has been working on the HUG Project (Help Us Grow) to assist in funding and constructing future expansion and improvements at the Shelter. The goal of the HUG Project is to create a healthier and less stressful environment for Shelter pets. The primary features of the project include a much needed cattery addition, enhancements to the canine area and front office renovations. The cattery is the first funding and construction priority of the HUG Project. The Shelter has received a number of generous donations; however, it is still seeking funds to complete the cattery this fall.
The Great Falls Animal Shelter is an open-admission municipal animal shelter, operated by the City of Great Falls and serves the residents of Great Falls, Cascade County and surrounding areas. The Shelter serves an average of 1,985 animals a year (of which 800 are cats). The Shelter staff recognizes that many residents support other animal advocacy groups in the community as well, but believes there is enough love to go around for all our animals.
The cattery will have its own private entrance, which will be used by cats entering the Shelter, to help reduce the trauma and stress levels of incoming cats. The design helps isolate the interaction between dogs and cats, reducing the anxiety between animals. The cattery also includes an adoption area, which will include capacity for over 70 cats and kittens in an array of cat condos and kennels and provide a pleasant experience for our cats and prospective pet owners. There also will be a visitation room where pet owners will have the opportunity to meet and bond with their potential adoptee. The cattery will include a grooming room and triage/exam areas, providing for a much healthier, organized and efficient work environment for our pets, staff, contract veterinarian and volunteers.
There are lots of ways to support the HUG Project – from sponsorship opportunities to cash donations to purchasing a brick paver! The Shelter pets will appreciate anything you can give to support the project from $10 to $10,000! The cattery cannot be completed without your help. Brick pavers are $150 (4”x 8”) and $250 (8” x 8”) and will be placed throughout the Shelter property. They can be purchased online at http://www.bricksrus.com/order/greatfallsanimalshelter. Donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law and can be sent to:
Great Falls Animal Shelter | C/O HUG Project
PO Box 5021 | Great Falls, MT | 59403-5021
You’re not a cat lover? Don’t worry, if you would like to specifically support the canine area, please designate this on your gift. We appreciate and thank you in advance for your generous support! We’ll be rolling out the canine portion of the HUG Project in just a few months.
Will you join others in this community who care enough to provide a humane environment for our animals? We hope so! Please visit www.greatfallsmt.net/animalshelter for more information about the HUG Project - there you can view sponsorship and donation forms as well as renderings and a floor plan of the proposed cattery. Please be assured that your donation will be put to good use to provide for the animals in our community. If you have questions about the HUG Project, please feel free to contact the staff at the Great Falls Animal Shelter, at 454-2276.