by Emily Canning-Dean
Reporter
Twinsburg Township -- Nearly 400 dogs and cats under the care of the Humane Society of Greater Akron are scheduled to move into their new home at the end of this month.
"We are truly realizing the dream for all of our animals to be in a new building," said Humane Society Board Chairperson Dawn Hartman. "Through the hard work and dedication of our Board, volunteers, staff and the community we are realizing a dream that many thought would never happen."
Humane Society officials said the move from their Peninsula offices will officially take place March 29.
"Once the animals are moved in, the Humane Society will be closed for about two weeks so the animals can adjust to their new surroundings," said Karen Conklin, executive director of the Humane Society of Greater Akron. "We are planning a huge open house for sometime in June."
Renovations to the facility are ongoing, as dog and cat kennels are being installed in the new facility, Conklin said. Post-move renovations include the completion of a medical suite and the addition of an education room. A veterinarian will be hired as well.
The 69,000-square-foot building is the former home of Twinsburg Township's administrative offices, which is moving from its Ravenna Road headquarters to its new home on Enterprise Parkway March 18.
"We hope to be completed with renovations by this time next year," Conklin said.
The non-profit Humane Society has raised $1.8 million of the $5.8 million the move and renovations are expected to cost.
In another week or so, the society will announce a public endowment campaign to raise the remaining $4 million, Conklin said.
The animal shelter will take up between 30,000 and 35,000 square feet of the facility, and will sub-lease another 13,000 square feet to Hattie Larlham, a non-profit group that offers services for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Hattie Larlham spokesperson Bill Wahl said the group will move its administrative offices to the building from Mantua.
Hattie Larlham's Constant Companions program and their Doggy Day Care and boarding program also will be moved to the Darrow Road building, and Hattie should be completely settled in by this spring.
In the Constant Companions program, people with developmental disabilities interact with domestic animals, such as dogs and cats. Doggie Day Care offers people with disabilities experience in the animal care industry, and the public will be able to board pets at the shelter during vacations or extended absences.
Hattie Larlham CEO Dennis Allen said the group will move its administrative offices to the township to make more room for residents who live at their Mantua location.
"The location in Twinsburg Township is a great traffic location, putting us in the middle of areas we serve," he said.
The Humane Society entered a $3.4 million, 3-year lease agreement with the Summit County Port Authority for the building last October. Conklin has said the society's goal is to purchase the building from the SCPA by the end of 2010.
E-mail: ecanning@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3172