Larimer Humane Society's dream of providing a better home for pets in need has been 10 years in the making, and last week they broke ground on a new shelter that will help them reach that dream.

The groundbreaking ceremony took place on the new shelter's location on County Road 30 in Loveland on Wednesday, May 4, at 11 a.m. This step comes after 8 years of research to inform new, best-practice based programming, the purchase of the land in 2007, and the 2014 passing of Yes on 200, which allocates one penny for every $10 on local sales tax to fund a new shelter for homeless pets.

"A lot of people have worked for a long time to make this happen," says Jane Sullivan, committee chair for the Building a Better World for Pets capital campaign. "It's going to become a reality and will truly be a community shelter."

A new shelter is long overdue, as Larimer Humane Society's current shelter is overcrowded, deteriorating, and no longer meets the needs of the community and animals they care for.

"Every 30 seconds, a lost, homeless, abused, neglected, unwanted, or abandoned animal enters our care," says Judy Calhoun, Executive Director of the Larimer Humane Society. "We currently find 9 of 10 pets a caring home, but we can do better, and this new shelter will allow us to do just that."

The new shelter will allow the Larimer Humane Society to provide extended medical care and behavioral modification for more animals to become adoptable. It will also serve as a rehabilitation and education center with a dog park, veterinarian clinic for shelter animals, a place to uphold ordinances that keep animals and the community safe, and most importantly, a place for people and animals to find love.

The Larimer Humane Society has been dedicated to helping animals since 1969. As an open door shelter, it admits every animal in need, regardless of breed, sex, age, behavior, medical condition, or history, and cares for thousands of animals every year. It is an independent, non-government, non-profit organization and is not a part of any national humane organization. Visit their website, larimerhumane.org, for more information.

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