Summit County opened its new $2.96 million animal shelter Tuesday, six years after a national group rapped the county for poor treatment of animals and recommended a new pound.
''The journey leading up to this opening has not been an easy one,'' County Executive Russ Pry admitted as he welcomed the public into the building.
The facility, a converted warehouse at 250 Opportunity Parkway in Akron, doesn't compare to the former, cramped shelter that sat in the shadow of the state Route 8 bridge over the Little Cuyahoga River.
The 19,494-square-foot building is spacious. The adoption area and individual kennels are larger. So is the lobby, which features glass walls so visitors can see some of the dogs and cats up for adoption.
The facility can house about 80 dogs and 60 cats.
There's also more space for the veterinary clinic, quarantining of sick animals, offices, outdoor visiting area and parking.
It also has separate meet-and-greet rooms where people can visit privately with the animals. The former shelter had no such space.
''This is amazing,'' Jen D'Aurelio, executive director of the rescue group Paws & Prayers, said during a tour. ''It's bigger and has more space for the dogs. I think it's a lot more friendly, too.''
Vets are impressed
Veterinarians Dane and Cynthia Arends, who work at the facility, agreed.
''There's no comparison,'' Dane Arends said. ''It's absolutely night and day.''
The dogs and cats deserved better than the former site, county Councilman Nick Kostandaras said.
''I feel that pets are much more than just animals,'' he said. ''They are beloved members of one's family. They constantly enrich our lives.''
The new shelter was years in the making. In 2004, after complaints from animal-rights groups, the county hired the National Animal Control Association of Olathe, Kan., to review the facility.
The association recommended a new shelter after finding numerous problems.
County leaders and animal rescue groups had been talking ever since about the need for a new facility.
The project was delayed by money worries and concerns about picking the right site.
Central location
County leaders settled on the Opportunity Parkway warehouse because it is centrally located and not in a residential area. The county bought the building and 3.7 acres for $1.06 million in early 2008.
Pry, who took over as county executive in 2007, called the facility one of the highlights of his administration so far.
He also cited his administration's other animal-related efforts, including sponsoring spay and neuter clinics and adopt-athons, and working with the PetSmart Charities Rescue Waggin'.
Energy efficiency
In addition to improving conditions for the animals, the shelter is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified. For example, the building is energy efficient and uses less water, and the parking lot is made of a pervious surface that allows rain to enter the ground.
The building was designed by DLZ with help from Animal Arts, a Boulder, Colo., firm that has designed more than 200 animal facilities across the country. Augere Construction of Hudson oversaw the project.
The shelter hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sunday.
For details, call 330-643-2845 or go to http://www.co.summit.oh.us/executive/animalcontrol.htm.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com.
