Why we need a new shelter
The Humane Society of Yuma estimates that in 2009 nearly 12,000 animals will be unwanted or abandoned. Many are turned in by owners who no longer wish to keep their pets and even more are picked up by animal control officers as strays roaming throughout the community.
Yuma is nationally recognized as a thriving, progressive, community booming with economic growth. In fact, Yuma is the third fastest growing area in the United States. Just as Yuma's people population continues to grow, so does its pet population, and tragically, so does the unwanted pet population.
Our current shelter
On September 1, 1965, the Humane Society of Yuma opened its doors at its current location at 285 North Figueroa. The shelter was designed to accommodate a total of 75 dogs and cats. In the mid 1980's, the kennel building was enlarged to deal with needs of a growing animal population.
The current facility, however, has far outlived its ability to meet the needs of today, and certainly is unable to meet the needs of the future. The aging shelter, with inadequate drainage, poor ventilation, and a deteriorating structure, is unable to provide a safe, healthy, and humane environment for the thousands of animals coming through the doors each and every year.
Our new shelter
National studies indicate a well designed, fully equipped, and highly visible shelter, dramatically increases visitors resulting in higher adoption rates and returns of lost pets to owners.
Furthermore, giving the public access to a low cost spay and neuter clinic will ultimately decrease the animal population thereby reducing our community's euthanasia rate of innocent animals.
A generous gift of land was provided by the Glen Curtis family and Sam Perricone at 40th Street and Avenue 41/2 E. This location is highly visible in the center of the community's growth and will bring more visitors through the shelter doors. Plans for a new facility include:
- An approximate 18,000 sq. ft. building (vs. today's current 8,000 sq. ft. shelter).
- Public spay and neuter clinic
- Indoor / outdoor dog kennels
- Community cat rooms
- Animal receiving areas, including space for examinations and grooming
- Public education areas
- Park-like court yard for exercise and training
