Kentucky Humane Society Plans Expansion

A rendering of the Kentucky Humane Society expansion project shows a large play yard and a 3,000-square-foot shelter addition. Artwork courtesy Kentucky Humane Society.

Cats and dogs at the Kentucky Humane Society might have a better shot at finding a new home with an expansion of the main campus in south Louisville, planned for next year as a way to mark the society’s 125th anniversary.

The KHS expects to break ground on the $1.6 million renovation project in spring 2009, said spokeswoman Michelle Ray. The nonprofit organization is able to fund the work through donations from private individuals, corporations and foundations.

So far, 80 percent of the project's total cost has been raised, according to the society. Features of the main campus improvement include:

• A 3,000-square-foot addition to the primary shelter.
• Redesigned areas for housing adoptable pets to encourage more exercise and interaction with other pets who are also looking for homes.
• Addition of a cat solarium to allow cats to play and socialize with other felines.
• A more efficient layout of the facility to give staff easier access to dog play yards so adult canines can have supervised exercise and social interaction.
• Overall improved appearance to the facility’s interior and exterior to create a more inviting environment for visitors.
• Enhancements to the existing structure that will improve animal health and reduce stress.

“These improvements will lead to more adoptions and shorter stays for the animals we help, meaning more room for the seemingly endless stream of homeless dogs and cats needing our services,” said Lori Redmon, KHS president.