BEDFORD – White River Humane Society Development Director, Sarah Turpen, addressed the commissioners Tuesday morning.
Turpen shared her experience volunteering at the shelter and her goal to make changes and educate the public after becoming a WRHS Board member and later, Development Director.
She stressed the importance of building a new facility.
“Our current shelter was built over 30 years ago,” said Turpen. “A failing plumbing and septic system, inadequate space, and lack of functional resources hinder the staff’s daily efforts. We need a shelter designed specifically to handle the health and well of the animals we care for and the safety of the staff.”
The shelter is beyond capacity.
“We do what we can, but it gets harder every day,” added Turpen.
Turpen shared that only 13 percent of the animals that arrived at the shelter were reclaimed by their owners.
She also provided the commissioners with the following information:
The new facility will be built on four acres at 1702 Wesley Chapel Road, in Mitchell, on the corner of State Road 37 South and Wesley Chapel Road.
Dana and Brenda Dunbar donated The land to the White River Humane Society.
However, before the facility can be completed, there is still a lot of work to be done and money to be raised.
You can donate by clicking here. If you would like your donation to go to the building fund or other service, you can email whiteriverhumanesociety@gmail.com, and someone will assist you with how you want your donation directed.
A new facility allows WRHS to efficiently carry out its vision to help prevent unwanted and abandoned animals in Lawrence County.
