Demolition slows down Humane Society growth

The shelter needs someone to donate a double-wide mobile home to house a new office and receiving area. Another mobile home had to be torn down.

By Times Staff Writer
Published December 10, 2004

BROOKSVILLE - The Humane Society of Hernando County has been trying to renovate and expand its Wiscon Road facilities to handle the growing number of stray, abandoned or orphaned animals around the county.

But one mobile home that was to be renovated and turned into an infirmary had termites and black mold and had to be demolished, said executive director Joanne Schoch.

"We tried everything we could do to save it, " Schoch said Thursday morning as crews from Rinker Materials and Graham Brothers Construction moved in to demolish the mobile home, along with a storage shed that was damaged during the hurricanes.

The shelter is seeking donation of a new or used double-wide, which will become a new office and receiving area.

The replacement building will be used to house animals that arrive at the shelter, because they are kept separate from other animals until they are tested and treated for whatever ails them, Schoch said.

"If there is someone out there with a double-wide, it doesn't have to be new, just in good condition," Schoch said. "We want it to last."

Because of the demolition, the no-kill shelter was closed Thursday and will reopen after noon today.

As part of the expansion, the Humane Society is adding a cat cottage, which when complete will be able to house about 20 cats.

"Outside is done, but we are waiting for the contractor to do some of the work inside," Schoch said. "We are going to have a new floor and have a new air system put in."

The organization's long-range plan also includes adding another dog kennel.

For information, call the shelter at 352 796-2711 or log on to www.naturecoasthumanesociety.org

[Last modified December 9, 2004, 20:19:09]