County Commissioners approved their annual $20,000 contribution to the Churchill Animal Protection Society last week after receiving a report from Public Works Director Chris Spross about the status of the new building and a report from Executive Director of CAPS Julia Ameil.
According to Spross, the commission purchased and approved a structure in 2022, but the costs and availability for the design work have been prohibitive. Currently, GEM Drafting, a local company, is doing the design, working with Ameil and her team on the concepts to meet the organization's needs as they grow. Once the design is completed, it will be submitted to the building department for review and then go out to bid.
Spross anticipates the bid process will begin by December, and with six months to build, CAPS could be in the new facility by the end of June 2024. “The pre-engineered building is on site,” said Spross referring to the unassembled metal building that was purchased last year. The new facility will be located off Moody Lane near the water treatment facility and is a partnership with the City of Fallon.
CAPS was created in 1986 as a no-kill shelter to house and adopt the community’s homeless cats and dogs. Ameil and her team of four kennel associates and local volunteers provide medical care, spay, and neuter services, and find homes for nearly 150 animals each year. They also provide community education to reduce unwanted litters.
“During covid, our donations and volunteers were way down,” said Ameil, “and we also saw an increase in the number of surrenders.” There are 20 in/out kennels at CAPS for dogs and ten cat condos, but she said they are over capacity with 19 adult dogs and six puppies.
Through 2022, CAPS served 163 animals, with 105 dogs and 58 cats. “Our vet bills totaled $55,435 for the cats and dogs last year,” said Ameil.
CAPS also provides a food pantry for pets with donations from the community and the SPCA in Reno. Last year, they assisted 35 families with 2,100 pounds of food for 60 dogs and 34 cats.
Volunteers are a significant part of life at CAPS, and Ameil recognized the contributions made by the military and the Jr. ROTC from the high school, along with the hundreds of people who have helped over the years with Bark in the Park, the annual yard sale, fundraising dinners, and the all-new paint night.
Anyone wishing to volunteer or contribute to CAPS and their mission can contact Ameil and her team at 423-7500 or see the available animals for adoption at capsnevada.org today.
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