Scituate Animal Shelter

The  Lucky Ones Come To Us . . .

 

For Immediate Release: March 6, 2009


Contact:Nancy Testa or Kim Stewart

Scituate Animal Shelter

781-545-8703


SCITUATE ANIMAL SHELTER UNVEILS “PERSONALIZED” APPROACH

TO REACH CAPITAL CAMPAIGN GOAL


NEW FACILITY WILL HAVE CAPACITY TO SERVE ADDITIONAL ANIMALS


The Scituate Animal Shelter today announced a fundraising campaign to encourage supporters to Buy-A-Brick and leave a personal message on the Shelter’s new front walk forever.  The program will help move the non-profit animal adoption agency closer to its capital campaign goal of $1.5 million for the land acquisition and construction of its new facility located at 780 Chief Justice Cushing Highway (Route 3A) in Scituate, MA.  Approximately $540,000 is needed to reach the goal.


“Over three years ago, we set out to fulfill our dream of building a welcoming new adoption facility, giving homeless animals at the Scituate Animal Shelter every advantage in finding a ‘forever home’,”  said Nancy Testa, Board of Directors Chairperson.  “Our dream is becoming a reality, and the timing is critical.  The demand for our services is at an all-time high because of a number of factors, many related to the challenging economy.  Because we are almost always at capacity, we have waiting lists of animals to be surrendered.   The new facility will enable us to help more homeless animals each year than we can in our current building.” 


The Brick Program offers the enduring benefit of commemorating a special pet, person or event while supporting the Animal Shelter.  All bricks purchased through the program are engraved with a personal message and will be placed within the front walkway of the new building.  Oversized bricks are available for a donation of $200; standard bricks are $100.  Custom bricks make unique gifts and can be presented to the recipient with a certificate which is prepared upon request.  Brick orders are being processed now although the walkway will be one of the last items installed at the new facility. 


Since the ground breaking in November of 2008, construction has been moving at a phenomenal pace.  The framing and roofing are finished, the exterior siding is in progress, and interior walls are being built.  “It is a pleasure to work with the team that has been instrumental in getting us to this point,” said Don Grilli, Cohasset resident and Financial Committee Chairperson for the Shelter’s Board of Directors.  “With the low-interest loan provided by MassDevelopment, architectural plans generously donated by Scituate resident Alan Macleod of Artisan Architecture, the professional contracting services of Michael Franceschelli of The Landmark Companies, Inc. and Tom Stone, Project Manager, we are enhancing a valuable community resource.  We expect to welcome the animals into their new home in June, and we invite the community to celebrate our grand opening with us shortly thereafter”.


Established in 1992 through a generous bequest from Scituate resident Eleanor R. Haughey, the Scituate Animal Shelter is an independent, non-profit, no-kill shelter dedicated to the welfare of animals in need.  The Shelter receives no local, state or federal funding and depends solely on private donations to cover its annual operating budget.  A number of exciting naming opportunities exist at the new building, the events calendar offers something for everyone, and there are many ways to get involved.  Visit the Shelter online at www.scituateanimalshelter.org for more information or to order a Custom Brick.