LONGVIEW — Benefiting from an infusion of resources from the Humane Society for Southwest Washington, the animal shelter in Longview is resuming pet adoptions after a four-week hiatus.
The renamed Humane Society for Southwest Washington Longview campus boasts fresh paint and renovations designed to make the pet adoption process easier than ever, according to Andrea Bruno, president of the Vancouver-based nonprofit that is Southwest Washington’s largest animal welfare organization.
“It’s been a tremendous effort,” Bruno said. Roughly 50 volunteers from Cowlitz and Clark counties worked to upgrade the facility, 909 Columbia Blvd. in Longview. They disposed of debris, painted, assembled new furniture and cleaned and organized the building during the January closure.
Humane Society for Southwest Washington absorbed the assets of the Humane Society of Cowlitz County and took over operations Jan. 1.
The Humane Society of Cowlitz County voted late last year to dissolve after serving the community since 1973. Bruno said the Humane Society of Cowlitz County did well with the limited resources it had but her goal is to pick up where the Cowlitz County Humane Society left off and move forward.
Sam Ellingson, director of communications for the Humane Society for Southwest Washington, said the Longview campus has a mix of new and former staff members. He said the Humane Society for Southwest Washington has a central services model, and that most of the eliminations were administrative support staff.
About 16 employees are working on site. About 25 were employed by the Cowlitz nonprofit when it shuttered at the end of the year, according to an earlier news report.
Renovations on the Longview campus thus far have been largely light demolition. Bruno said the organization plans to launch fundraising campaigns for upcoming renovations once they have estimates from contractors for the more elaborate work.
Bruno described the changes to the lobby as the first of multiple phases. Other planned renovations include relocating and updating the veterinary clinic , along with ass new equipment such as an X-ray machine, new lighting and a new surgery table.
Thanks to walk-in access to wings with adoptable dogs and cats, adotpers can walk in the dog adoption wing and peruse the aisles of available canines in their kennels.
Dixie cups and kibble dispensers give people a chance to get a feel for the dogs’ personalities. A feline adoption wing makes adoptable cats similarly accessible.
“We believe people should go in and see the animals,” Bruno said. She described it as a growing industry standard.
Once interested, an adoption counselor can provide more information about the animal and its needs and arrange for a meet-and-greet.
Every dog and cat is microchipped, vaccinated and spayed or neutered before they are available for adoption. According to Bruno, those veterinary services included in adoption fees are significantly below what they would cost pet owners at a private vet.
Bruno said it’s all about lowering barriers and ensuring that an animal’s stay at the shelter is “a very short stop on their journey.”
Revised layout, same mission
To expand its adoption area, admissions have been moved to an entrance on the side of the building.
Dogs in the process of being admitted to the shelter and dogs ready for adoption will no longer cross paths.
The separation also allowed the shelter to maintain its intake operations after taking the reins Jan. 1. Adoptions resumed Feb. 5.
Animal control will continue to be handled by the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Department and other municipalities, but the Humane Society holds the sheltering contracts.
The now-dissolved Cowlitz County Humane Society stopped providing animal control more than two years ago, though regional animal control remains a concern. Longview city staff recommend that the city council direct the city manager “to collaborate with local jurisdictions in exploring sustainable, cooperative solutions for future animal control/shelter services.”
While the new shelter owners do not plan to offer animal control services, Bruno said she wants her organization to maintain the same presence in Cowlitz County as its predecessor. One example includes continuing the Claws for Paws crab dinner and auction fundraiser on Feb. 22.
“We hope the community here will continue to support our work,” Bruno said.L
