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PrintCOLUMBIA — During the first week of May, Central Missouri Humane Society will break ground on a remodeling project funded by the pet-friendly website Zootoo.com.
The Humane Society won the $1 million makeover contest more than a year ago. After some miscommunication about plans for the renovation with Zootoo owner Richard Thompson, the society is ready to begin the six-week project.
- James Bassett, right, of Mid-City Lumber, delivers a pallet of sheet rock and fiberglass insulation to the Centeral Missouri Humane Society on Wednesday. The Humane Society is currently undergoing renovations underwritten by a $1 million prize from a 2009 contest sponsored by Zootoo.com.
Before the project can get under way, the adoptable pets need to find a temporary home. After the pets were rejected from several locations around Columbia, Humane Society Executive Director Alan Allert was losing hope of finding a location. With the help of Mike Teel, owner of Mid-City Lumber, a majority of the Humane Society’s animals will have a temporary residence in an old showroom at 2105 Paris Road.
“I appreciate him stepping up because I didn’t have many options left,” Allert said.
To prepare for renovations, volunteers will be cleaning and preparing the showroom for its new furry inhabitants. The cleaning will start at 9 a.m. Saturday at the temporary location.
During the six-week makeover, adoption services will be located at the old Mid-City Lumber showroom while animals brought by the Columbia and Boone County animal controls will be received at the Humane Society.
Despite several hundred people who normally volunteer with the Humane Society, Allert is asking for all the help he can get.
“Anybody who wants to help can just show up,” Allert said. “Make sure to bring your own cleaning supplies.”
The renovations will improve both the lighting and cleanliness of the building. The inside of the Humane Society will be gutted. According to the society's Board of Directors President Jim Loveless, the main renovations are:
- A new air-handling system that will separate cats and dogs within the facility in order to reduce the noise between the cats and dogs and allow cats to be less tense
- A new epoxy finish on cages and surfaces that will help cut down on disease interchange between animals
- More windows and lights that will create a more inviting environment
- An expanded area for displaying cats
- A new public entrance
Loveless said the renovations will allow for the Humane Society to better serve central Missouri.
“The facility will be cleaner and brighter,” Loveless said. “The renovations will be beneficial for the animals and the public."
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