September 2, 2003
CHS celebrates new facility
Cherryland Humane Society holds year anniversary open house
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Celebrating one year helping animals in need at their new facility, the Cherryland Humane Society Shelter and Adoption, Education and Conference Center staff threw a party.
Hosting an open house, they invited the public to come and check out their building on Ahlberg Road, next to the Grand Traverse County Road Commission building. With refreshments, animals and a visit from the National Cherry Queen, the afternoon had something for everyone.
Becky Ramey of Traverse City came to check out the cats and kittens with her son, Orvie, 9. They had adopted their cat, Tigger, here last year just after the new building opened. The two were curious to see how the cats were faring in the new cat room.
"It looks like they needed the extra space as the previous one was kind of crowded," said Ramey, who visited the shelter last year with her mother 'just to look' and left with Tigger.
More than 20 years in the planning stage, the Cherryland Humane Society boasts more than 14,000 square feet, a huge increase over their previous location of 2,500 square feet. This previous building on LaFranier Road had been donated to the society in 1956 and was stretched to capacity for years.
The new shelter now has a cat room bursting with cats and kittens of all sizes, colors and temperaments, more than 75 felines in all. Along with the brightly lit dog room, which features roomy cages and individual runs to prevent disease spread, the larger space has provided a welcome boost to area humane animal care.
"We are getting more animals in and more animals adopted here," said Mike Cherry, executive director of the Cherryland Humane Society.
With the new facility, the society has also focused on making each adoption more successful. The cat and dog rooms feature natural lighting as well as grooming and isolation areas. In addition, a state-of-the-art ventilation system helps prevent the transmission of airborne diseases.
Once a prospective adoptive family comes to the shelter, they can interact with a dog or cat in a private room, which makes for better decisions about suitability of the match. The society also addresses issues once the animal goes home with a new owner.
"We also have programs to help with behavioral and adjustment problems," noted Cherry.
The Cherryland Humane Society has also increased its educational outreach when it added Carole Huebotter to the staff. Joining last year as humane education director, Huebotter and her golden retriever Buddy have traveled to schools around the region.
"I've met more than 3,000 children in the area, the teachers have been just wonderful," said Huebotter, who has worked in the field of humane education since 1991. "This job has been wonderful for me personally and for the community. It's great because all I can think about is what else I can do."
This October, the society will once again host a state-wide humane education conference that will feature two prominent national speakers in the field. Last year's conference drew 35 educators from around the state and was possible only because of the new building.
"This facility is drawing people to us," Huebotter noted.
The Cherryland Humane Society is also planning to start a Junior Humane Society program for high school students and is expanding their volunteer program under the direction of a new director, Kim Challender.
Cindy Haines has been a volunteer with the organization for ten years, helping with follow up adoption phone calls as well as caring for the cats. She has seen a major change with the new facility.
"It's exceptional care here, obviously compared to the old shelter," Haines said. "The capabilities are just so great, it is a great place to volunteer."