New Building for Carroll County Humane Society in the Works
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CARROLL COUNTY, Tenn. — After months of battling frigid temperatures without heat, the end is in sight for Carroll County Humane Society. They could have a new building, but only if they can get the funds still needed to complete renovations. President of the Carroll County Humane Society, Sarah Kidd, told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News that this winter has been brutal for the dozens of abandoned animals sheltered in their current building. The building is in danger of collapsing after strong storm winds nearly knocked down one of the side walls last year. The wall is currently leaning on support beams. “There is not a central heat source in the building so we’ve been using a lot of blankets,” Kidd said. “We’ve been using heat lamps as needed.” Kidd said it’s nearly impossible to keep the room warm without insulation because cool wind blows through the holes in the wall. She said she can’t leave heat lamps on overnight because they are a fire hazard. On top of the heating issue, the shelter has also seen three major pipe bursts this winter. “Every time there has been high winds or a lot of ice, everybody holds their breath and starts ‘asking is everything good?’ So, we’re incredibly lucky that nothing has collapsed,” Kidd said. After months of fund raising and prayers, Kidd said a generous donor offered to finish paying the down payment on a new building located on Highway 22 South in McKenzie. “What we are hoping is that we can increase our adoption rates so our intakes can go up as foot traffic increases so that the ones who are in a rescue and need a home, they can hopefully with the new building with more people coming in, they can get into a home faster,” Kidd said. Although the new building is a dream come true, Carroll County Humane Society officials said they will still need to raise enough money to build animal enclosures before the animals can be moved. Officials said the building also needs a protective sealant for the floor, as well as an HVAC system. “Rescue can be hard. It’s an emotional roller coaster and it’s a financial nightmare, but, you know, you can’t look at them and say ‘I can’t do it anymore’… you just can’t,” Kidd said. Officials said the closing on the new building is scheduled for Feb. 19. Workers hope to have all of the shelter animals moved by March. If you would like to help Carroll County Humane Society meet their fund raising goal visit their website at: www.cchspet.org Email: cchstn@gmail.com or CALL: (731) 352-9950 They are also having a fundraiser and open house at their new location 21822 Hwy 22 South in McKenzie on Feb. 22 from 10-3 p.m.
