And just like that, with a third quick vote, the Logan County Animal Shelter is financially one step closer to completion.
During their regular meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 26, the Bellefontaine City Council passed the resolution to provide $100,000 for the shelter. It will cover their responsibility to the facility for the next five years and is comparable to what they were spending annually to send stray cats and dogs to other counties.
This money, according to Deputy Jake Boyd, Logan County dog warden, will go toward dog kennels. But they’re not fully funded yet.
“We’re still accepting kennel sponsors,” he stated. “That’s a $4,000 commitment for the lifetime of the building and includes a plaque, so your name is recognized as long as the building stands.”
They also still need 10 people or companies to sponsor cat condo housing at a cost of $2,500 each. Besides kennels and condos, money that comes in will go toward a grooming station and washtub and the table and light needed for the veterinarian.
In other words, they still need funding to get this going. With that in mind, Boyd hopes to eventually start a 501c3 charitable organization to help with the fundraising.
“I’m spread too thin,” he admitted. “I need people who can take over that part of it.”
Up to this point, Boyd has been coordinating fundraising with Behind the Badge, which has been “a saving grace.” However, he feels it’s time to separate so donations go specifically to the animal shelter and caring of the dogs.
As for the building, located by the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, 284 S. County Road 32, Bellefontaine, the inner works are being put in and they’ve started on the mechanicals, windows and doors. All the materials they need to complete the project are in the contractors’ shops and ready to be installed.
The only thing that could hold up production time is the kennels, which take 14 weeks to arrive once they’re ordered. Which is why they’re pushing for those sponsorships to cover that cost as soon as possible.
Overall, Boyd said they still need about $60,000 to finish. He’s been getting a lot of questions about the price of the building and pointed out that because it’s a commercial, government facility, the cost increases.
“It’s not a pole barn. It has a full foundation.” Then he added, “We’re building a product to last, not to just temporarily house dogs.”
If you’d like to contribute to the Logan County Animal Shelter, contact the county sheriff’s office at (937) 592-5731 and ask to speak to Deputy Boyd.
