North Bay humane society’s adoption facility nears completion

The North Bay and District Humane Society's new animal adoption and welfare centre is close to opening its doors.

Liam Cullin, the shelter’s executive director, gave a short tour to CTV News on Monday afternoon.

"Right now it's about 95 per cent done,” Cullin said.

With most of the build complete, staff will begin transferring adoption-ready animals in less than a month.

“It's really getting crammed in there for space especially nowadays with the amount of animals we're getting in," he said.

Construction of the $2.36 million shelter began in May 2022. The facility is not replacing the old shelter, which is located adjacent to it, but will act as an expansion.

Liam Cullin, the shelter’s executive director, gave a short tour to CTV News on Monday afternoon. (Eric Taschner/CTV News)

"We are going to basically branch out," said shelter manager Janet Bredin.

“Our old building is going to be still used for our spay and neuter clinic, animal transportation, rescue relief and emergency care.”

The new centre includes 12 dog kennels, three large separate cat rooms and a new room specifically designed for meeting your new pet. There are also rooms for smaller pets like rabbits and rodents.

"Our original building was built more as a pound, it wasn't built for what it is now,” said Cullin.

“Over the years, we've transformed from a pound to an adoption agency."

The humane society fundraised about $500,000 and received a grant from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation for $850,000.

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Pet Valu provided $250,000 through its Companions For Change program.

“We're really grateful for that,” said Bredin.

“A lot of people have seen the humane society over the years and it's very industrial with cages and kennels and we're trying to go beyond that."

Cullin said donations are still being “graciously accepted.”