Become a fanConstruction Report
Latest update:
Donated Exercise Area for Dogs is Ready for Action!
Thanks to our canine loving donors; the dogs at the Holshemier-Lamar
Animal Shelter have an outside exercise area to run and play while they wait for their forever
home. The Columbia Humane Society (CHS) was gifted the money and some materials to build this
fenced-in dog exercise area in the back lot behind the shelter. With their contribution, CHS was
able to build a secure yard that is 75 feet by 100 feet with a 6-foot high fence; along with 2
gates. Roger Kadell with Columbia County Animal Control coordinated with CHS volunteers Chuck
Ruppert, Jon Anderson, Randy Perrin, and Barry Garske, to plan and build
this enclosed exercise area.
Construction began in October when Conrad Forest Products (once again) contributed to the shelter with a donation of the 18 6”X6”X8’ pressure-treated wood posts ($550.00 value). Coastal Farm and Ranch sold CHS the wire fencing and the gates at a reduced price ($500.00 deduction). After the Columbia County Road Dept. initially rough graded the land behind the shelter, CHS volunteers worked together to finish grading the lot even further and then spread layers of gravel to insure a nice surface for the dogs. Next, the corner wooden posts were cemented in with metal posts in between. Then, 2 gates were installed for easy access. Thank you volunteers for your many hours of work to build this beautiful, secure area for the dogs to play and laugh while they wait for their forever home!
Some people may have the impression that CHS has additional funds to build new areas at the shelter; but the truth is CHS is operating on a very tight budget and still relies heavily on continued donations to care for the animals. We have been blessed with several generous donors in 2011 that contributed money specifically for shelter projects; improving the living conditions of our animals. One of our members made a generous contribution in recent memory “for my mother’s love of the dogs”. Incredibly, another person came to the shelter to donate items the very next day. Because, they too, had recently lost their mother was compelled to contribute to this long-lasting, major project.
Thanks to our volunteer work force and discounted material costs; CHS
completed this project for just over $2,000. The dog run was built for two main reasons; giving
the dogs a supervised, safer place to unleash some energy and a large, enclosed area for adopters
to meet their potential life-time friend.
This special, enclosed area is dedicated in memory of Betty Davey and Mrs. Innocenti to honor their love of dogs. We hope they are watching the dogs play and can see the joy it brings to everyone! Their gift to Columbia Humane Society will keep on giving for years to come and hundreds of dogs will be thankful for a place to run outside!
Watch this YouTube video for a slideshow of the work in progress and to see “Bella” making the debut run!
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE REPORT The dogs at the animal shelter now have a roof over their outside kennels allowing them to be outside during the day, regardless of the weather! To everyone that contributed to these kennel covers, the dogs say thank you! The total cost for the covers was $7,300 and additional cross bracing still needs to be completed before final inspection. CHS has received over $5,000 for this project but we still need an additional $2,300 to cover the expenses. The Columbia County Animal Control proceeds from the Rabies Clinics will also contribute to these expenses. For a complete list of contributors and construction details, please read below. |
The Dog Kennel Covers at the Holsheimer-Lamar Animal Shelter are more than half way complete!
In June, Clare Conner, Columbia Humane Society board of directors’ vice president and a group of volunteers put together a building plan and materials list to estimate the cost. The following professionals volunteered and donated their time and expertise to get this project started. Alisa Werings of Dynamic Drafting Designs provided our construction drawings to submit to the City of St. Helens for approval. They required additional wind load engineering calculations which Andrew Niemi from Lower Columbia Engineering provided. Jim Rensch Construction in St. Helens signed on to be our general contractor and met with the St. Helens city inspector to complete the building permit process. Pam Rensch of Windermere Real Estate helped coordinate between the city, the county, and the engineer. After two months of decisions, obstacles, and waiting, CHS got their building permit in late August!
We have submitted an application to
St. Helens to reimburse our building permit fee...hint...hint.
CHS broke ground on the west side on August 29. Chuck Ruppert and Richard Wiser, both Warren
residents with years of experience in construction, along with the help of Randy Perrin, a CHS
board member, began digging the holes. Don’s Rental donated the 2-day use of the jack
hammer. Soon the holes are complete and pass city inspection. Knife River donated the
cement that was poured with the help of volunteers and county inmate workers. They had an
unexpected delay when they noticed two of the posts had been stolen the night before, but
replaced them quickly with a trip to Dahlgren’s.
Roger Kadell, Columbia County Animal Control Officer, provided county inmate workers to help
with the construction labor as needed. “Without this contribution from the Columbia
County Sheriff’s Office, this
project would not have been
done as quickly or cost effective,” says Chuck Ruppert who is coordinating this project
for the dogs.
CHS purchased the building materials from Casey Doss with Parr Lumber in Hillsboro and
Mike McFarland with Dahlgren’s in St. Helens; each providing their lowest price possible,
as their contribution. John Burger Heating and AC in Scappoose moved the air conditioner
unit pro-bono, to create better clearance around the new structure.
Jim Rensch and Chuck Ruppert
(pictured above) continue the construction during the heat wave with the assistance of
Randy, Pam, and Mike McFarland. In a few days the rafter boards were up and already the
structure provides more shade for the dogs. On September 26, volunteers installed the metal
roof, which matches the shelter. Thanks to our regular crew of Chuck, Jim, Randy, and county
inmate workers, and extra hands with Barry Garske and Mark Herrick, all together they
completed the roof in one day!
While waiting for the metal roofing, progress began on the east side covers. Conrad Forest
Products donated the pressure-treated posts and beams from their Rainier plant. Again,
Don’s Rental donated the use of the jack hammer and our crew of workers, including
Lisa Beggio with CCAC and CHS, completed the holes for inspection. The posts are set in place,
the beams are attached, and the rafters are going up. “I have not seen this much improvement
to the shelter in ten years,” says CHS staff person. “It’s great to see everyone
working together to help the dogs at the shelter!”
Unfortunately, CHS has now exceeded the amount of money raised for this project. In May, we
raised $3,000 to start construction for the kennel covers with an estimated cost of $8,000 per side.
From individual donations, discounted prices, and volunteer labor we were able to build one side
for just under $3,500! The dogs, staff, and supporters of CHS thank the many people who donated their time,
expertise, and money to this project. “CHS is hoping to raise another $3,000
to cover our expenses,” says Clare. “Our goal is to have both sides covered before
the weather turns to rain.“ To see the building process step by step, watch this slide
show. (west side covered kennels shown)
So what’s happening for the cats? In May, we also raised $3,000
for a new intake building.
Local architect Laurence Hoppel presented CHS several options and cost estimates. The choices
are to
replace the existing modular construction
building with a new one, or remodel the existing “old shelter” building. Each of these could cost
$18,000 to $24,000. In the meantime, CHS is temporarily housing the cats, not ready for adoption,
in other rooms on the property. They are working with Columbia County Animal Control to maximize
the shared spaces at the animal shelter in order to provide the best care for the cats. CHS is
committed to using the money raised for the cats to enhance these rooms where they stay, in the
most cost effective way. (old shelter building shown)
If you are interested in donating to either the dogs’ kennel covers or the cats’ intake
room, or in volunteering to help, please go to our How You Can
Help page or contact the shelter at 503-397-4353. At CHS, we rely on donations and our volunteers
to improve the housing conditions at the shelter for the dogs and cats while they wait for a forever
home.