Ribbon cutting for the new Neenah Animal Shelter, June 28, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
NEENAH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — It’s being called a milestone for the community.
“This is excitement. It’s relief that it’s finally here, and in some ways, it’s like, pinch me that it’s real. That after all this time, we have worked so hard,” said Mary Setton, Neenah Animal Shelter board president.
On a slightly drizzly Friday morning, dozens were on hand to see the brand new Neenah Animal Shelter. Community leaders made the ceremony official.
“This day’s been a long time coming. So this is our grand opening of our brand new shelter,” said Setton.
Setton says the 6,000-square foot facility will be more than double the size of the current shelter.
“On the dog side, we have a big dog play yard. So they’ll have lot of room where the volunteers can take them out to run and play. We have indoor-outdoor dog kennels. Dog runs, so they can be inside or go outside in the dog run,” she said.
There’s an expanded adoption area for cats as well.
“We have free-roaming cat rooms, which we didn’t have before. So that’s really huge. And then we have these catios, which are out cat spaces. So when weather permits, the cats will be able to be out here, and watch the birds and squirrels,” said Setton.
Setton says there will be a new surgical suite, capable of spaying and neutering animals. Executive Director Cindy Flauger says donations, fundraisers and help from area businesses helped pay for the shelter.
“Our cost was $2 million. We understand though, that the building actually costs more than that. And that’s where our partnership with Boldt came in to help fill that gap, with both some in-kind, as well as trying to work with their sub-contractors, for reduced pricing. So we’re very blessed that we were able to stay at that $2 million dollar cap,” said Flauger.
Setton says hundreds of volunteer hours also went into the project.
“It’s just, oh my gosh, the day is finally here, and our dream of a new shelter is a reality. The idea being that we want a wonderful temporary safe haven for the animals, but the ultimate goal is to find them homes,” she said.
Shelter officials say the animals from the current facility will be transferred to the new one by the middle of next month.
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