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AnimalSave's No-Kill Shelter

Background: AnimalSave, a project of Golden Empire Humane Society, plans to build a no-kill animal shelter in Nevada County.

To date, funds have been raised in a variety of ways. The AnimalSave Thrift & Treasure store has been a major source of funding, and its revenues will sustain shelter operations. In addition, AnimalSave holds an annual auction in November, a June yard sale, and a quilt drawing. Numerous individuals and organizations have donated generously as well.

Problem: Eleven thousand animals were killed in local shelters between 1993 and 1998, more than 2,000 in 1998 alone. Only 15% of dogs and 10% of cats are adopted from shelters.

Many people avoid animal shelters because they find the atmosphere too depressing. Shelters cannot do a good job of convincing the public that animals are not disposable, because traditional animal shelters have an image of being places where animals are disposed of. When a positive, safe, and nurturing environment is created for animals, adoptions, donations, and rate of volunteerism increase dramatically.

A no-kill shelter gives animals the luxury of time to become socialized, and people looking for new pets can visit the adoptable animals in a relaxed setting, knowing those "left behind" will also find homes.

Solution: The project's long-term goal is to offer an adoption center that will keep animals beyond the maximum 72 hours the county and city shelters now allow before euthanasia. No-kill shelters work cooperatively with traditional shelters, often taking overflow from city and county shelters.

The land that has been donated for the shelter is 8½ acres of rural land conveniently located on the outskirts of Grass Valley. ARQ Architects, designers of the internationally known Maddie's Adoption Center in San Francisco, have designed the Nevada County no-kill shelter. It is a "no-frills" style appropriate to the setting, and will be Nevada County's first no-kill shelter.

Timeline: ARQ Architects will complete application for a conditional use permit in October; the permit process takes 3-4 months. Construction is to begin in the spring of 2002, and will proceed in phases as funds allow. The goal for Phase I is $815, 083. Initial costs include permit fees, site preparation, architectural fees, and construction costs. AnimalSave has already raised over $200,000.

Impact: As a result of the project, Nevada County will have a no-kill animal shelter that not only will save the lives of hundreds of local animals each year, but also will serve as a model for other communities that wish to build a similar shelter.