Lakewood Ranch animal shelter expansion means more dogs will be saved, officials say
Nates’ Honor Animal Rescue, a no-kill animal rescue shelter in Lakewood Ranch, this year has saved around 2,000 animals. By the time expansion of the facility is completed, that number will rise to about 4,500 a year.
Nate’s, 4951 Lorraine Road., celebrated its $10 million expansion groundbreaking Dec. 6, and it was a four-legged guest of honor who dug the first hole before its board of directors and other VIPs used celebratory golden shovels to officially mark expansion efforts.
“The sad reality is that Florida has the third highest euthanasia rate in the country, with puppies and kittens being killed at the highest rate,” said Rob Oglesby, director of development. “Our daily challenge of saving the lives of at-risk animals is greater than ever, and we’ve simply outgrown the existing physical capacity.”
Oglesby said the 8-acre expansion will help to more than double the shelter’s abilities to save the lives of animals.
“This expansion will allow us to save twice as many lives each year and provide quality education programs for the community,” he said.
The expansion will include three new buildings, totaling more than 30,000 square feet, including a 20,000-square-foot new welcome center, a separate intake building and a behavior and training center.
The new welcome center will serve as a place to socialize people with potential pets. It also will house a new state-of-the-art veterinary clinic, indoor/outdoor cat habitat and event rooms.
Other improvements will include a new dog pool and patio, walking trail, fenced play area and eight more dog cottages.
Construction is getting ready to begin and the $10 million “Journey Home” campaign is 70-percent funded, so the campaign continues. To learn more or to donate, call Oglesby at 941-538-6206 or visit natesanimalrescue.org.
Manatee County Animal Services hopes to achieve similar goals, as the county-run shelter continually struggles with over crowding and the need for more volunteers.
In April, the board of commissioners agreed to spend $8 million for a new animal shelter. Animal Network has pledged to lead a donation drive to raise an additional $2 million. Thus far, Donate to Manatee Shelter website has raised $179,350 as of Thursday.
This story was originally published December 20, 2019 at 8:49 AM.