From the Gainesville Sun

By Nicole Crisp
Correspondent

The Alachua County Humane Society is trying to raise $250,000 to complete the rebuilding of the new and expanded Humane Society home.

Gainesville Mayor Craig Lowe, former Gainesville Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan and 98.5 KTK radio host Storm Roberts as well as board members of No More Homeless Pets and Alachua County Animal Services met Friday morning to ask for help.

"If you've ever tried to rehabilitate an old home you know you run across some expenses that are unforeseen," said Roberts, "and we really need your help financially to make this dream a reality."

The Humane Society is hoping to raise another $250,000 for the reconstructed building, which features about 30,000 square feet, almost five times the space of the previous building, including room for a thrift store and grooming business. According to Humane Society Executive Director Kirk Eppenstein, the $2.5 million project cost about 50 percent of what a brand-new building would have cost.

Eppenstein said the building was designed with infection control and ease of access in mind.

"It's not so we can warehouse that many more animals, but to keep animals housed more humanely," said Eppenstein about the expanded space.

He said some animals can develop "cage craziness" during extended periods at the facility.

Eppenstein said the Alachua County Humane Society rescues more than1,000 animals each year in an effort to find them "forever homes."

Mayor Lowe talked about how pets play an important role in many people's lives.

"They are companions for our children, for our seniors and everyone in between," Lowe said. "They provide so much in our lives, let's help them as well by helping the Alachua County Humane Society."

Hanrahan added, "We're just asking citizens to step up and to look into the eyes of these sweet animals and realize that we can all play a role to help."

Anyone interested in helping can visit the Alachua County Humane Society Web site at www.alachua humane.org to make a donation.