Separate entrance for Humane Society's new Lost & Found Center

Separate entrance for Humane Society's new Lost & Found Center

Jan McHugh-Smith, the CEO of the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, talks about the new Admissions and Lost & Found Center. Through the door behind her is a cat-only area with new cages.

Westside Pioneer photo

As part of a multi-faceted expansion and renovation project, the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR) recently opened a two-story, 13,145-square-foot addition to the north side of the older building.
It houses the Admissions and Lost & Found Center, which includes separate waiting areas for cats and dogs. Previously, with all animals together in a smaller area, the situation could be “very chaotic,” explained Jan McHugh-Smith, the HSPPR CEO, and that “can be traumatic when someone has lost a pet.”
The addition also provides more dog/cat kennel space with larger cages (including holding areas that isolate sick or injured animals, or even those in court cases),

The new Humane Society Admissions and Lost & Found Center is seen from the back, in a photo shot from the west side of the interstate, south of the Cimarron interchange. Note how the building is two stories in this view, but because it’s built into a slope, it’s only one story at the main entrance on the opposite side.

Westside Pioneer photo

improved tracking systems for lost pets and a large laundry unit that now serves the entire HSPPR facility at 610 Abbot Lane.
       In all, about 70 percent of the average of 400 animals in the building at a time are strays, McHugh said. Some come in as a result of animal-cruelty investigations, she added.
       The new building increases the HSPPR's maximum holding capacity to 500 animals at a time, added HSPPR spokesperson Gretchen Pressley.
       The Lost & Found Center's entrance is along the west side of the building, which means less traffic through the main entrance at the south end, according to HSPPR information. A parking area is around the new building, and it's available

A sign at the main driveway into the Humane Society, off Abbot Lane, instructs people seeking the new Admissions and Lost & Found Center to drive straight ahead. The building to the right (visible in the background). Also, in the project to build the facility, a new parking lot was developed around its entrance.

Westside Pioneer photo

to “anyone bringing in an animal for any reason,” Pressley said.
       The expansion/renovation is being funded through an ongoing $8.4 million (previously $8.3 million) fundraising drive. Opened earlier this year was a new adoption lobby and cat adoption center with “cat condos” that can house up to 40 felines.
       Other plans moving forward are for a dog park and a barn/corrals to handle farm- type animals that might come in. These facilities will be developed on space north of the new building (including three acres previously used by a nursery business).
       “The new 1-acre dog park will feature a renovated pond, walking paths and an off-leash area,” a press release states, adding that HSPPR has “more than 150 dog- walking volunteers” who help ensure that all dogs get walked at least once a day. Donations are being taken at hsppr.org/dogpark.
       A nonprofit, HSPPR contracts for animal services with Colorado Springs and El Paso County.

Westside Pioneer article
(Posted 11/28/16; Community: Humane Society)

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