Old Shelter Razed, New Structure on Horizon

Clare County Animal Shelter

4040 Hazel Dr
Harrison, Mi 48625

HARRISON – The Clare County Animal Shelter staff has waited a long, long time to be able to tear down the old original shelter building and erect in its place a safer, larger, more versatile and suitable structure. Recently, that goal became not only a possibility, but a project in progress. The old building has been razed and drawings for the new structure generated.

Rudi Hicks, director of Clare County Animal Control, acknowledged the community generosity which has enabled the project to move forward. One, Blain Excavating, actually tore down the building. Another was Northern Logistics out of Clare.

“These guys, God bless ’em,” Hicks said. “We had nowhere to store anything and he donated this [truck] for us to use until we get a new building.”

That truck box is storing tools, cages and other rudimentary animal maintenance items. Hicks said it was quite a day, as she and Animal Control Officer Bob Dodson dug in, hauling out items which would be salvaged. What remains of the building itself is a small pile of rubble at the back of the property.

“That’s all scrap metal,” she said. “So, we’re going to try to recoup a little bit.”

Hicks reminded that the Animal Shelter had inherited an estate valued at roughly $24,000 which will cover a portion of the new building’s cost. In addition, there is still building fund money languishing which was leftover from the construction of the current shelter.

“There was a millage for this building,” Hicks said. “It could only be used for construction at the shelter.”

She said those combined funds should be more than adequate to cover construction of the new building. A directly requested estimate, which was received the day of the interview, was for $79,000. Additional formal requests for bids were slated to be published.

“I feel good about that building being gone,” Hicks said, gesturing to the empty spot where the old shelter had stood. “It was kind of bad juju out there. Bad karma.”

Dodson has taken best advantage of the Menards online design tool, generating a 3D image of the desired new pole barn structure. It will be 40 feet-by-60 feet, with the long side to face the west (parking lot side) of the property. The building will be deep in the lot as the old building site, but situated farther to the right (south) so it will be a straighter shot for driving the Animal Control truck back to the building’s large sliding doors. There are also intended stall areas on the building’s north side.

The new structure will also provide secure, more confidential housing for animals being held in evidence for criminal proceedings.

Dodson is looking forward to the new, more sanitary structure, as well.

“It’ll be healthier and we can use it,” Dodson said. “I didn’t want to use the old one, because you never knew what was in there – stuff falling down.”

Fortunately, that will no longer be a problem for those whose job is to protect the welfare of strays and surrenders.

Now, it’s on to bids, awarding the contract, and ultimately seeing the long-awaited structure become a reality. Stay tuned.