Polson animal shelter planning to build 'puppy room'
Following one of their most explosive puppy seasons to date, the Mission Valley Animal Shelter in Polson overflowed with dozens of wagging tails and tiny paws that arrived over the past spring and summer.
According to shelter vice president Sharon Hawke, the shelter took in at least 40 puppies in the last few months, overwhelming the facility and putting intense pressure on its foster program.
When pups come in to the shelter, Hawke said, their young immune systems are too underdeveloped for them to be housed with adult dogs, creating a need for an isolated, sterile environment in order to ensure their safety and health.
As litter after litter came into the no-kill, nonprofit shelter, the staff realized that the limited number of foster families offering such an environment did not have homes or laps big enough to hold them all.
The idea of adding a “puppy room” to the shelter came about two years ago, according to Hawke, but the need for the addition became more apparent and immediate this summer.
In addition to providing space for puppies, the planned room would also make additional space for dogs outside of puppy season.
The shelter’s current facility can house up to about 15 dogs, 12 kittens and 10 cats.
“This is a game-changer for our shelter,” Hawke said.
When new Director Filip Panusz joined the shelter’s staff in early September, Hawke said he began pushing hard toward completing plans for the puppy room.
One of the key long-term players in helping launch the funding effort, Hawke said, was a Girl Scout troop from Bozeman.
“They just hustled their butts off for about a year and a half,” Hawke said.
As plans became finalized in the last few weeks, the girls presented the culmination of their efforts to the shelter, a check in the amount of $4,000.
Following the shelter’s announcement of those plans, other members of the community immediately began stepping up to fill the various needs associated with construction.
A Polson contractor volunteered his time and services to help draw up plans and began coordinating other workers, from plumbers to concrete suppliers, encouraging them to do the same.
The total cost of the new addition will come to about $15,000. But after taking into account the amount of donated labor, materials and services provided by the community, Hawke said the facility will be worth much more.
According to Hawke, the shelter staff plans to break ground on the addition as soon as next week and hopes to have it completed by the first of October 2017.
To raise the remaining funds needed before breaking ground, the shelter will host a “Puppy Party” on Sept. 16.
The party will consist of a live and silent auction, a prime rib or salmon dinner catered by the Finley Point Grill and an hors d’oeuvre and cocktail hour featuring samples provided from various distilleries in the area.
Highlight auction items will include a 17-foot handcrafted cedar canoe, a $4,000 furniture package, an $800 egg cooker/smoker, a $2,000 tree-scaping service, a chip-seal driveway treatment, a Golf Montana package, a diamond necklace, art, a Puppy Package, a Kitten Package and more.
The party will take place from 6-9 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Red Lion Inn in Polson.
Tickets are $50 each and are limited to 150 participants.
Tickets are available for purchase at the shelter, Finley Point Grill and the Crowsnest Gallery.
For more information, call (406) 883-5312.
Reporter Mary Cloud Taylor can be reached at 758-4459 or mtaylor@dailyinterlake.com.