Shelter needs building funds

NORWAY —  Volunteers for Responsible Pet Care have until December 1 to raise another $251,821 to purchase a larger facility to accommodate its current overcrowding of animals, says Shirley Boyce, president of the nonprofit organization. 

The group has been applying for grants and fundraising to raise $350,000 before its December 1 deadline. As of last Thursday, the group had raised $98,179. 

The animal shelter is currently located at 132 Waterford Road in Norway. 

RPC has had its eye on purchasing a 5,600-square foot facility located at 9 Lower Swallow Road across from Paris Elementary School to accommodate its increase in cats and dogs, said Boyce.

She said the new facility is about twice the size as the current one. 

On October 23, Boyce reported that RPC had raised $75,000.  Although donations keep coming in, Boyce said in order to purchase the property by December 1, money needs to be raised much more quickly. 

She said the group has been sending out letters to folks potentially interested in helping and has been even giving tours of both the old and new facility "so people can see firsthand how badly we need the new one," she explained. 

"That's the best way for them to realize, is to actually go there," she said. 

Boyce said people interested in scheduling a tour of the buildings can contact RPC board member Kate Hatch at 207-461-0274.

In addition to space limitations, RPC's current building is in poor condition and there is lack of usable land for the animals to get out and exercise, Boyce said. 

"Where we are now there is a shortage of space outside for dogs, and at the new building we certainly [would] have excess space," Boyce explained. 

If RPC can purchase the building in Paris, Boyce said it would be able to provide the first public dog park in Oxford Hills, in addition to the possibility of a dog park at Lake Pennesseewassee. 

She said a dog park at the shelter would be easier to police than at the lake, and would give people the chance to see the animals that are ready for adoption. 

 Boyce said RPC is "anxious" to meet its fundraising goal and move into the space before winter arrives, as the current building costs more than $6,000 to heat and there are too many immediate repairs that need to be made. 

"We would rather put the resources into the new facility and not have to heat the one we are in for another winter," Boyce said. 

Boyce said she is hopeful the funds can be raised by the December 1 deadline, but said that RPC will ask for an extension of time from the owner of the building if needed. 

The sooner RPC can raise the money, the sooner it can move into the new facility and improve business, Boyce said. 

"We are just happy to share what we do with people," she said. 

To make a tax-deductible donation, Boyce encourages people to send a check marked "Building Fund" to Responsible Pet Care of Oxford Hills, P.O. Box 82, Norway, ME 04268 or donate through PayPal on RPC's website, www.petfinder.com/shelters/rpc.html.