Submitted information
A generous offer of $250,000 in seed money and matching funds for a new animal shelter hinges on the Humane Society of Clark County’s ability to secure a new location.
The organization’s leadership is hopeful a donor will come forward with an offer of suitable land to meet the group’s need and kickoff a capital fundraising drive to build a new modern shelter dreamed of by many for decades.
A memo of understanding, signed recently with an Arizona-based charitable foundation, will provide $50,000 in seed money once the local Humane Society acquires a suitable parcel of land. The agreement also provides at least $200,000 to match local funds raised by the Humane Society specifically for construction of a new facility.
Arkadelphia shelter over capacity for many years
Often through 2023 and 2024 the shelter has housed nearly 100 dogs and puppies and 100 cats and kittens in a facility barely suited for half those numbers. Obviously a new facility with excess capacity would be ideal.
However, based on months of research into best practices for shelter design and construction and after consultation with shelter design specialists the Humane Society directors fear they will be hard pressed to raise funds for a new location that will just meet the current need.
“Our preliminary research has shown that the probable cost will significantly exceed our early estimates of $650,000,” said Les Kent, chairman of the Humane Society Board of Directors. “We are determined to provide a new facility that reflects the same excellence our community is known for in its community amenities.”
Best chance ever to build new shelter
While recognizing the daunting task they face, the Humane Society directors see this as the best and possibly the only chance they will have to make a 30-year-old dream come true. In addition to being a dream, a new shelter is also an urgent necessity. The facility is constantly over crowded, making care and socialization of the animals extremely difficult and inefficient. The building is 30 to 60 years old and dilapidated to the point that major repairs are not prudent or cost-effective according to several local builders.
Insurmountable issues plague current location
Drainage issues and the resulting flooding potential, compounded by the deafening horn blast from the near-constant train traffic, are seen as insurmountable issues at the current location. The building condition and location issues were recognized by the Arizona foundation in stipulating their funding be used only for the construction of a shelter at a new location.
“I’ve been on the board for many years and this foundation’s donation is a much-needed blessing,” noted board Secretary Ali Painter. “A new shelter has always been a dream since I’ve joined the board, but our finances have always made it more of a pipe dream. The overhead costs of our current facility and the overcrowding eat away at our savings and donations, leaving us with constant deficits. This pledge can bring us closer than we have ever been to getting the facility we really need to help the animals and our community for years to come.”
Was it a miracle?
According to Kent, the interest from an out-of-state foundation was a complete surprise that happened quite by accident. “In the last part of 2023 we notified the public of a financial crisis that stemmed from severe overcrowding, decreased donations and declining adoptions,” he said. “Reports from our Treasurer, Pam Shuffield, warned us of a coming crisis.”
Shuffield added: “At that time we faced closure within six months.” Coverage of the dilemma by arkadelphian.com was noticed by Arkadelphia native Caroline Derby, a reporter for KARK TV in Little Rock, who did a feature story on our situation which was posted online. Kent explained, “Somehow — and as far as we are concerned it was a miracle — one of the directors of a private charitable foundation in Arizona, which supports animal welfare, saw Caroline’s video and called the shelter. The telephone visit with our manager, Whitney Womble, apparently impressed the caller and led to a year of conversations, a visit to our shelter, a commitment for ongoing operational support and now the generous offer we finalized in November.”
Board Vice Chairman Cathy Garrett points out that, “They saw our need and clearly believed in our mission.”
New location most immediate need
Kent explained that it is too early for a projected timeline or a firm cost proposal, but the organization is prepared to move forward as soon as a new location is acquired.
“Right now everything depends on our finding a suitable site, whether it be donated or purchased,” he said. “We know what we need but there are many details and decisions to be made, and we are not exactly experts at this. Actually we have found that experts are very rare. We have been in contact with several design firms and hope to be able to engage one of them to insure this gets done properly at the lowest cost possible.”
New shelter could bring new services and educational opportunities
Whitney Womble, the shelter manager, is probably the most familiar with the benefits that would come with a new shelter. She explained that a new shelter “will offer far better conditions for our animals and our staff. A properly designed shelter, with all the dogs inside, will help socialize the adult dogs and make them more adoptable. Proper kennels will reduce the noise from dogs barking both indoors and in the outdoor exercise areas.
“Our staff could work more efficiently, comfortably and safely in all weather conditions,” Womble continued. “Health conditions and sanitation for our cats and dogs would be much improved with proper space and ventilation and plumbing. A new facility that can be properly maintained and organized will be more attractive to volunteers and increase their numbers. With space and new volunteers we would love to sponsor educational activities for kids and more assistance getting a newly adopted pet acclimated in its new home.
“We want to build a shelter that will allow us to work with the cats and dogs and not spend so much time patching things. Our staff desperately wants to do a better job for our babies and the community.”
A lot to ask
Garrett also volunteers as a grant writer and social media manager at the local Humane Society. She noted her amazement at the support our shelter receives from individuals in the community and charitable foundations.
“All we do is made possible by donations, grants, fundraisers and in-kind support. We do not receive any ongoing financial support from state, county or city sources,” Garrett said. “I know it is a lot to ask of a community that already gives so much, but we just cannot miss this opportunity. We just want the best for the animals and the community.”
More details coming
The Humane Society plans to kick off their fundraising efforts in January. The organization will be releasing a list of individual shelter areas and features that local donors might choose to fund. Details on naming rights for large donations and on-site donor recognition are also being developed.
For more information, to discuss a land donation or to arrange presentations to your group, contact Les Kent by email at lrkent9978@gmail.com or by calling 870-833-0431.
Donations may be mailed to: Humane Society of Clark County, P.O. Box 435, Arkadelphia, AR 71923. CLICK HERE to donate online.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
