Cherryland Humane Society in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, has unveiled a new expansion featuring a cat center and conference space, made possible through community donations. Naomi Lawson-Pobuda, the shelter's communications and marketing manager, emphasized the ongoing need for space in animal welfare.
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The expansion adds 9,000 square feet of space, primarily to create a dedicated area for cats, which helps minimize stress caused by barking dogs. Lawson-Pobuda noted, "This expansion enabled us to create a very calm space for our cats, a brand-new cat center where it's quieter. Happy cats in the shelter mean that they'll get adopted more quickly."
The new facilities also include a conference center that can accommodate groups, schools, and camps, as well as additional space to isolate animals that cannot be placed in general kennels. Lawson-Pobuda expressed hope that the enhanced environment will facilitate quicker adoptions.
Construction on the project took just over a year. The additional space is crucial for a shelter that adopts out between 700 and 800 animals annually. Lawson-Pobuda expressed gratitude to the community for their generous support: "We are just so excited and we are grateful."
Two cats, Rambo and Lenny, featured in the story, are currently available for adoption.