Currently, we’re working on a few things simultaneously and it gets confusing, even for me! Not to mention I found out about some other great projects going on as well so my mind is officially boggled. So let’s break it all down and Karl can scold me for forgetting things later. When you’re reviewing these, please think of ideas and how you may be able to help or supplies you can donate. Thanks ahead of time from all of us on the team!
Projects Now:
The Cat House (Meow- wink, wink.)
We’ve torn down the overgrown stuff in front of the cat house. We’ve put in the gardens, some mulch, and are adding the wooden ties to outline everything as often as Karl can drag them in from the fields.
What’s next: We obviously need to scrub the side wall of the adoption office (it’s green.) and clean up the stumps sticking out of the ground. We’ll fix the small garden on the side by the gravel lots with mulch and trimming. We’re going to get some sod or grass seed to fill in the gaps. We’re going to cut down the massive tree- WHAT?!?!- yes, cut down the dying giant tree, it needs to be done. Then, we’ll fix the brick walkway to the cat house, fence in the “front yard”. Add the 3 flag poles I mentioned previously and tidy as needed.
The Goal:Then we will have successfully created a “Meet & Greet” area for visitors introducing current pets to potential adoptees!
The Serenity Garden
We took down the two giant shrubs by the entrance to the small dog park entrance (yeah, you can see it now!) in order to clear the area for the garden. Karl is in the process of taking down 2 large trees that are in danger of tearing up the fencing of the dog parks.
What’s Next: We have the marble bench in honor of our founder which we will place 2 dogwoods by (they’ve already been donated). Then we’ll add a new & improved “wishing well” fountain and add some benches and hopefully a sign that briefly lists the importance of the area.
The Goal: To honor our past and inspire our future. This is definitely Karl’s pet project and I think it will bring a lot of people in from the public and become a meeting place for volunteers and visitors.
Adoption Doggie Door
We’ve currently moved the donation box and tore down the old wishing well to clear the area.
What’s next:Hopefully this weekend, with the help of some Boy Scout volunteers working on a Community Service badge, we’ll move the Japanese Maple & shrubbery to replant them elsewhere on the grounds. We’ll take out the stepping stones and be able to use them (probably in the Serenity Garden) again. Then, Karl has to assemble some fencing and cut a hole in the adoption office to insert the doggie door frame.
The Goal: To allow the dogs in the front office to be able to go out and use nature’s restroom or take a break when it gets loud and busy in the adoption area.
Adopt-A-Kennel Program- The 1st Kennel
Karl’s almost through with the first kennel. It’s been painted, the new window and lighting system are all in along with the new doggie door. Have you seen it? WOW!!
What’s next: The cement needs to be sealed up, the window needs some framing and the thermal flap to the outside needs to be put in. Then we need someone to adopt it!
The Goal: To redesign all the kennels in a way that saves time for the staff, improves comfort for the dogs, and looks a lot better to all of us!
Anything Else?
Yes, I’m sure I’ve forgotten something. And there are always new plans in the works- like the mural in the Adoptions Office. But I’ve covered the basics for now. Have a little dream for a place on the grounds? Please let us know! We need to put these lovely donated bird feeders somewhere.
Oh and a heads up, we’ll be needing fencing soon- once we complete all this we’re redesigning Rebel’s Park! It’s going to be awesome- you might want to volunteer for the team now and beat the rush 
