Animal shelter celebrates outdoor expansion

NonprofitHealth

Jun 19

Photo courtesy of Kent County Animal Shelter

The Kent County Animal Shelter has opened a new 44,000-square-foot fenced outdoor expansion for the canines who temporarily call the shelter home. The enrichment area is located next to the animal shelter on Kent County's Fuller Campus. It includes several activity items, including a raised platform, vertical ramp, and tire obstacle course.

The project was made possible by the largest donation in the shelter's 84-year history. The Marie B. Schipper Trust gifted $90,000 to the shelter, with $30,000 allocated to replace the outdated X-ray machine, enabling quicker diagnosis and treatment for injured animals. Marie Schipper was a Kent County resident who died on November 28, 2021, at the age of 85. The youngest of seven, she grew up on a farm in Newaygo County and had a passion for animals.

"With this new, natural enclosed area, we can offer some of the best canine enrichment. The animals can feel the dirt on their paws, smell where the squirrels have been, dig in the dirt, and do all the things dogs simply love to do," said Angela Hollinshead, Director, Kent County Animal Shelter. "These activities reduce a lot of stress that develop from living in a shelter, which is why this space is such a benefit. Because of the shelter's commitment to not euthanize healthy adoptable animals, the time dogs spend in our care at the shelter is increasing, creating an even greater need for more robust enrichment opportunities."

The shelter has been fortunate to receive several estate gifts over the years.

"This was such an incredible donation and we are deeply grateful to be able to give our shelter dogs such a wonderful opportunity," Hollinshead said. "Our primary goal is to find these animals loving homes but while they are in our care, we don't want them to simply exist rather we want them to thrive."

To learn more about the Kent County Animal Shelter, visit https://www.accesskent.com/Departments/AnimalShelter/.