Chattanooga is taking a giant leap forward in its work for companion animals! The McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center will be a state-of-the-art facility that will offer a higher level of humane care and sheltering of lost, abandoned, abused, and relinquished animals. The groundbreaking took place in July 2006. The Center is anticipated to open late Spring/early Summer 2008.
It is understood by all involved that the new Center will be successful ONLY if spay and neuter and education are adequately addressed. Therefore, extremely aggressive community-wide spay and neuter programs will be put in place and enforced, accompanied by a variety of best practice educational programs. Any effort to proceed on just one front – whether it is spay/neuter programs or the construction of a new shelter – will fail to meet the larger goals of reduced animal population and euthanasia rate.
How did this amazing center come this far you ask? Some of the highlights of this 10 year dream are as follows:
1998: Mayor Jon Kinsey’s Chattanooga Animal Services Task Force consulted with the National Animal Control Association to conduct a 3-month study of Chattanooga’s animal control program and the Chattanooga Humane Educational Society (HES). As a result of the study, the task force recommended that the city assume all responsibilities regarding animal control within city limits and adopt tougher animal laws thereby taking over field service from the Humane Educational Society. The task force also recommended that a new animal shelter be built to place emphasis on the needs of the animals, prevent disease, appeal to the public, and reduce the number of unwanted animals born in the community.
1999: Chattanooga Animal Services was created and the first officers hit the streets, responded to calls, rounded up strays, enforced laws and tried to educate the public.
2000: The Animal Services Task Force reconvened and recommended again that the city build a new animal shelter and a non-profit 501(c)(3) be established to assist with funding the shelter. Initially the city didn’t act upon that recommendation until it became apparent that the HES was ill-equipped to handle the 15,000+ animals being brought through their doors. The HES euthanasia rate sky-rocketed to 75 percent; the national average is 65 percent.
2004: Mayor Bob Corker recommended and the Chattanooga City Council appointed a board of directors to lead newly created Animal Care Trust (ACT). This non-profit Trust was charged with raising funds for and overseeing the design and construction of the proposed McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center that will be located on a 10-acres site on Access Road in Hixson. The city also expects the ACT to oversee animal service functions i.e. field services once the new shelter is built. Mayor Ron Littlefield and the City Council has continued the city’s support of the construction of the McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center.
2006: The Animal Care Trust hired Dr. Amanda Wojtalik as the Center’s Executive Director.
This center has it all. Here are some of the facility facts:
Size
21,000 - 28,000 square feet;
Cost
Approximately $5.8 million;
Location
On 10-acres of beautifully, wooded land on Access Road in Hixson with opportunities for a dog park, agility course, outdoor exercise areas and more. Unlike many animal adoption centers, our community’s new facility will be located in a park-like setting adjacent to a family recreational area that features soccer fields and disk golf. This makes the Center ideally situated to encourage visits and more adoptions;
THE CENTER BELONGS TO THE COMMUNITY
Center design includes the following features:
Individual dog kennels and cat condos with a screened-in porch for cats;
Each dog kennel will have its own window providing natural light to provide warmth and a sense of well being plus some diseases can’t survive ultraviolet light;
Indoor/outdoor runs with small and large fenced-in exercise areas;
Flushable floor drains to minimize odors and reduce the spread of disease;
Education classroom, library and resource area;
Real-life rooms (by simulating an actual living room with a chair, rug, radio, etc. – these rooms allow dogs to practice; their “indoor manners” and allow staff to assess what a dog is like indoors);
Get acquainted rooms – these rooms allow potential adopters one-on-one time with a dog or cat in a private, quiet setting;
Surgical suite so an injured animal can receive immediate care. Plus all Center animals will receive necessary tests, vaccinations, medications and a spay or neuter surgery prior to adoption;
Isolation and quarantine areas which allows animals to be held until they receive a health evaluation;
Grooming and laundry areas;
Puppy pens so they have their own area away from the big dogs;
Bright, welcoming lobby with featured animal areas;
Area for small and exotic animals;
The Center is more than just a building. The animals that have the best chance for survival are those that have an advocate. The McKamey Center’s policies are being designed so that each animal will receive a medical and behavioral evaluation and then be partnered with an individual volunteer, rescue group, or foster home. The McKamey Center will in essence serve as an advocacy and outreach center for the stray and abandoned animals in the community.
Some programs and classes that the Center will offer:
Medical and behavioral assessments of animals entering the facility;
Adoption services and education including “pet parenting” classes, adoption packets, training sessions'
Networking with rescue and foster homes to get animals placed;
Volunteer program with opportunities such as dog walker, cat cuddler, animal care specialist, adoption counselor, greeter, office assistant, events assistant;
Adoption of older animals to senior citizens, pet meals to pets of needy people, pet therapy in hospitals and nursing homes;
Dog bite prevention classes, dog training and kitty kindergarten classes;
Summer camps for kids;
Events including Yappy Hour, Dogs on the Diamond, Doggie Paddle, Stray Cat Strut.
HOW CAN YOU HELP
The Center is geared to open Summer of 2008, but, of course, donations are the backbone of seeing this dream through. To learn more about how to donate and/or become involved in the Center's activities, please go to the website at:
http://www.mckameyanimalcenter.orgThe McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center will offer the community a new option and resource for animal care. While HES will continue to serve Hamilton County, the McKamey Center will serve the city of Chattanooga. Officials with the McKamey Center realize the importance of working together with rescue groups, the foster community, and other animal shelters in order to save as many lives as possible.
Thank you for your help!
FACILITY FACTS:
Facility Planning & Architecture
Franklin Associates Architects, Inc.
Chattanooga, TN; Gates, Hafen, Cochrane - Animal Arts (consultant)
Boulder, CO; Mechanicals (HVAC, plumbing, electrical and landscaping);Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon; Construction Manager/Contractor The Strauss Company
posted by Kim Cady
Facts and pictures courtesy of:
Donna Deweese, Community Outreach Coordinator
Animal Care Trust
McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center
P.O. Box 1028
Hixson, TN 37343