The Director of the Kalamazoo Humane Society says a new facility will help the organization with its programs, including spaying and neutering pets.
The Humane Society’s Operation Fix-it programs started in 2002, it allows people to get pets spayed and neutered at a reduced cost. Winters says unwanted pets are still a problem in the Kalamazoo area, but he says it has improved. Winters says in 2002, about 5300 animals entered in the Kalamazoo County animal shelter. He says in 2015, it was about 2200. Winters says that means fewer animals are being euthanized, and less money is spent repairing damage, and retrieving animals.
Kalamazoo County’s animal shelter is nearly full many times during the year. Winters says the Kalamazoo Humane Society decided years ago to stop operating an animal shelter so it could focus on prevention programs. Anyone who wants to take advantage of Operation Fix-it can log on to the Humane Society's website, and pre-pay, then set an appointment. Winters says people can also call, or just walk in. He says the cost is about a third to a quarter of what standard surgery would cost.
The Kalamazoo Humane Society is currently operating in a facility on South Westnedge north of I-94. Winters says the organization has outgrown the building which had been a bridal clinic. Winters says the Kalamazoo Humane Society is looking to move soon, first to a temporary location. But the long-term plan is to move into property purchased on the corner of River Street and the I-94 business loop.
Winters says they will move into a new facility in next couple of years. He says for now they are in the quiet phase of capital campaign. Winters hopes the organization will go public with its capital campaign in the spring or early summer.
