THOMASTON, Maine — The animal shelter that serves Knox and Waldo counties will break ground for a new, modern complex this spring following the donation of $1 million by a longtime supporter.
The Pope Memorial Humane Society announced Monday that benefactor Lyman Pope recently donated $1 million to help complete the overall vision of the organization that includes a new 10,075-square-foot facility. The donation brings the society’s $2.2 million fundraising campaign to 92 percent complete.
“For over 15 years, in so many different ways, Mr. Pope has been a tremendous friend to homeless animals and the shelters who care for them across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont and a great friend to [the Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County],” said society Executive Director Tracy Sala in a news release. “I am deeply grateful for this gift and his faith in us. Mr. Pope’s generous donation, along with strong support from the community, over 500 supporters, will have a substantial impact on our ability to save and care for homeless animals, benefiting the community for generations.”
The news release pointed out Pope’s long history of support that includes his painting kennels and providing fencing for dog play yards, special dietary food for animals, Lyme testing kits, and a generous gift that launched the building campaign.
Pope of Jackson, New Hampshire, founded the Lyman Pope Jr. Foundation, which has supported more than 37 shelters in New England. Three shelters, the Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County, the Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter in Orleans, Vermont, and the Pope Memorial SPCA in Concord, New Hampshire, were selected by Pope for major donations.
“We are so thankful for Mr. Pope’s support,” said Kim Grinnell, president of the society’s board of directors. “This gift will allow us to begin construction of the new [Pope Memorial Humane Society] facility in the spring of 2015, a facility that addresses a critical need in our community.”
The demand for services continues to grow with intake of homeless animals reaching nearly 1,500 animals a year, more than doubling animal admissions from just 10 years ago, the shelter stated in the news release.
The current facility is overcrowded and not conducive to meeting the animal welfare needs of towns in Knox and Waldo counties that the shelter serves through contracted services and all others seeking help, according to the release.
The new facility will be built on land owned by the organization that is adjacent to the existing facility on Buttermilk Lane in Thomaston. The new building will feature a state-of-the-art air exchange system and sanitation measures to reduce stress and disease, providing a healthier environment for staff and resident animals; separate dog and cat wings with segregated quarantine/isolation areas for sick and injured animals and a large room dedicated to educational programs to reinforce humane values and animal care knowledge.
The Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County was founded in 1989.
The shelter is located between the Dexter Street Extension and Buttermilk Lane in Thomaston and is open between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday (closed Sundays). The shelter provides animal support services to Rockland, Thomaston, Warren, Owls Head, St. George, Port Clyde, Martinsville, Tenants Harbor; South Thomaston, Spruce Head, Hope, Union, Appleton, Montville, Cushing, Matinicus, North Haven, Vinalhaven, Stockton Springs, Morrill and Thorndike.
For more information about the Pope Memorial Humane Society visit www.hskcme.org.