Angels, blessed not with wings, but with ample financial means and a love for the care and well-being of domestic animals are greatly needed before the long-anticipated Animal Care Shelter for Kent County can break ground.
Five beautiful acres in Worton, on Mary Morris Road, await the construction of a safer, healthier and less stressful environment for animals in search of a forever home. Thoughtfully designed by leading shelter architects, ANIMAL ARTS, this new animal care center is planned for the 21st century, with more to offer for both animals and the community alike than what the shelter’s current 60-year-old facility can support.
Medical Coordinator, Kaylene Clark, weighs 13-week-old Moira for her routine medical intake. ACSKC’s current exam room just barely fits a folding table, which is insupportable for mid-to-large size dogs
The new shelter is designed with emotional and mental health in mind. Two separate entrances distinguish those looking to adopt and those who must surrender a beloved pet to the shelter’s care. Taking the place of metal cages, cats will reside within spacious three-room condos, allowing for much-needed separation between sleeping, eating, and taking care of business. Open playrooms and outdoor patios will be available for friskier felines. There will be ample space to carefully isolate kittens from possible illness.
Dog lovers will revel in seeing the typical “jailhouse” style kennels replaced with four doggy dorms attached to extra-wide runs that lead into individual play yards. Two large yards will enable daily enrichment and exercise programs. A meandering path accented with trees and memorial sculpture gardens will service the multiple walks that shelter dogs enjoy throughout the day.
With the new shelter will come the addition of a medical center, creating space for Kent County’s community of dedicated veterinarians to care for animals in-house for routine medical attention. This will reduce the stress put upon animals while providing a more cost-effective and time-efficient solution for staff. A sophisticated 10-zone, temperature-controlled fresh air system will ensure the health of the animals by ceasing the transmission of preventable diseases that the current shelter must combat regularly.
This full-fledged facility will serve generations of Kent County residents. Fostering the passion and education of the young and young-at-heart will be another goal realized for The Animal Care Shelter for Kent County. Basic and advanced training programs and summer camps are just a couple of aspirations that will be achieved with the newly-available space.
While a dozen dedicated citizens have gifted or pledged most of the necessary funds—including a million-dollar endowment to cover operating expenses—private fundraising efforts have faltered in the wake of COVID-19. As a result, ACSKC needs at least another $1,000,000 of support before they can sign with KRM Construction and other local businesses to begin construction.
“Unleashing the Possibilities: A Campaign of Love for the Animals of Kent County” is offering life-long Honor and Memorial Opportunities for pledges of between $15,000 and $250,000, to be paid over one to four years. Bricks, benches, cat condos and dog kennels are available for in-memory-of or honor-of gifts between $500 and $5,000.
The animals of Kent County desperately need this new facility. Those who wish to be an angel for these deserving, hopeful pets-to-be can donate at kenthumane.org/give or contact Executive Director, Richard Keaveney for more information at [email protected].
Photo: The “Future Home of the Animal Care Shelter for Kent County” is located on Mary Morris Road in Worton, Maryland. Board President, Prakash “Chikki” Shajwani (left) and Executive Director, Richard, Keaveney (right), hope to break ground by July 2021. They are accompanied by shelter dogs, Bones and Rosie.
Irene says
This is a wonderful facility but I don’t feel that Kent County can maintain such a facility. Many people in our county feel this is overkill. They feel it is beyond the financial capabilities of our residents.
This shelter was badly managed for many years then two managers came in and turned it from a kill facility to a no kill facility who actually were not only winning the trust of our residents and support system but felt confident that these two managers were not only turning corners but had won the hearts of people and animals. Then Covid hit and the shelter let these managers go to save monies for this shelter. The heart of the shelter was ripped out from under it. These dismissals truly affected the community and not sure they will
Recover from it. Jane and JP were the best thing to happen to Kent County Humane. Good luck with the new facility who puts prestige and state of the art buildings over the voiceless animals and people who dedicated their lives for these beautiful creatures.
Richard Keaveney says
Jane provided the passion and grit to transition the 60 year old shelter to a no-kill shelter that continues to provide all necessary medical care, love and enrichment for the animals. We would not be in the position to replace our current facility if it was not for her commitment.(Only 4 euthanasia in 2020!) The animals and community benefitted greatly from, your son, JPs endearing personality and other hard working people over the years.
A new shelter will not be built unless its leadership has the necessary funds- including an operations endowment – to build a facility that is a safer, healthier and less stressful environment for our animals AND humans too.
Cora says
I would like to know if the new shelter will also have facilities for pets other than cats and dogs.
Richard Keaveney says
Cora, the current and new shelter will be able to properly care for other animals (bunnies, pigs, reptiles, etc.) until we find the best home for them. We have solid relationships with horse and bunny rescues for example. If we are blessed to build the new shelter, we will not only have increased capacity we will be able to accommodate different levels of care needs and prevent the spread of disease.
Karen says
🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️
Richard Keaveney says
Thank you Karen. Keep the prayers and love going strong.
Violet Myers says
I think that is a brilliant idea and it’s beautiful I think we’re places should have such a place I don’t live there that we definitely need something like that here too God bless you for doing that and you will be blessed I rescue animals in California so I know it’s costly and I do hope some people who are financially capable can step up and donate for this beautiful facility to be built God bless you and prayers that you get the help that you need for such a beautiful cause God bless you for this inspiration