When the CenTex Humane Society Second Chance shelter was founded in 1971, the board of directors were animal lovers who did the best they could with what they had. (See the original incorporation documents). They saved many, many lives successfully and educated the (then) rural residents about humane treatment of animals and proper care. But times have changed, and the organization has outgrown its operation.
The present shelter (as a whole) does not meet State requirements and is way too small for the influx of stray and abandonned dogs.
While the main building is set up now, and has all basic necessities, our staff still works outside in mud, sleet, heat and snow. The dogs are still exposed to the elements and their kennels do not keep them dry.
Our most immediate plans are to add four buildings. (Download the presentation)
A 40 cage kennel with food preparation and dog wash area, a quarantine building, a transit building for new arrivals and an overrun building where dogs can be kept that have to be separated, or when we receive more dogs than the transit building can handle.
Let me explain the purpose of these buildings. Please download the drawings of the plans to help you visualize what we need to do.
The 40-cage Kennel:
The kennel will house the larger dogs. It will have a indoor wash area, to make it easier for staff to clean the dogs, and a food preparation area. The kennels will have a 2" slope to the outside to facilitate drainage. We are planning on skylights to save electricity. The building will be cooled in the heat of Texas summers. We are still looking at what's available and what we can afford, preferrably swamp coolers but it may have to be large, water cooled shop fans.
The Quarantine building :
The quarantine building is necessary to reduce the spread of contagious diseases. This facility will have isolation areas for a number of contagious diseases, with special purpose kennels that will be used for that condition only. Staff will be provided with decontamination suits so that they can go from area to area without risking cross contamination.
The Transit facility:
The transit building will have 6 cages. At this time we have no way to separate arriving dogs from the general population. With this building, we can hold new arrivals (strays, dropp-offs, transfer from other facilities, etc) until their health can be evaluated.
The Quad area:
The overflow area will be a multi purpose building with 8 cages. It can be used for a number of things as needed; either quarantine for bites, or shelter for new arrivals, or whatever else is needed that does not require full isolation.
Sidewalks and paved roads
At this time our visitors and staff have to walks on gravel walks which can pose a problem for many. The fire department requires to have roads for their trucks where they can safely pull up to the facility in case of a fire.
We have to build sidewalks and hard surface roads between the buildings to allow for vehicle traffic (loading/unloading of animals, etc)
The outlying kennels, which will still be used for recreational areas have to be cemented according to state regulations.
Two entry/exit ways
According to fire and traffic safety regulations, we have to open both gates to allow the shelter visitors a separate entry and exit, which also means a road to the second gate (that is now closed and not usable, since there is no driveway leading to it).
All this does not come cheap. At today's prices (March 2010), the total estimate for just the basic necessities is $100,000 plus. And this does not include the paved roads.
We need donations in order to keep the shelter operational. Be it in materials (fencing, pavement, cement etc.) or labor, or money.
Please help! If you can donate labor or material, call the shelter at 254.526.6200
Montary donations are accepted both at the shelter and online. Just click on the yellow 'Donate' button.
Any help is much needed and appreciated!
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