North Beach PAWS has raised 1/3 of its goal for a new dog shelter, more than $800,000 of the total $2.5 million goal, at the end of the first year of fundraising.

The campaign, launched in May of 2023, is to build a new shelter to house more dogs in a purpose-built shelter than the current facilities, according to a news release.

“We are thankful and grateful for the donations we’ve received to date from the community, including businesses and private citizens, but we still have a ways to go,” said shelter Vice President Carol Jamroz. “With improving economic indicators, we’re confident that we’ll reach our goal in due time, and we can’t wait to fully fund the project and break ground when that time comes. The dogs and puppies, along with the community and our volunteers, truly deserve a better place.”

The current dog shelter, located at North Beach PAWS’ facility near Ocean Shores, is in a retrofitted dog grooming center converted into a shelter, which doesn’t conform to the best practices for dog shelters. The new shelter will have spaces for smaller dogs, a large outdoor play area, improved heating and ventilation, and designated space for medical examinations and quarantine, as well as expanded work, intake and storage spaces.

The new shelter is also designed to have 20 kennels, expanding on the current eight, easing a substantial bottleneck as demand for shelter services rises nationwide. Demand for cat shelter space has also increased, but the nature of cats means their capacity and tolerance for living in close quarters is much more elastic than dogs.

The largest donation so far came with the donation of his entire estate by the late David Minkler, more than $125,000, according to the news release.

More information about the campaign or donating can be found on the shelter’s website at northbeachpaws.org.

Contact Senior Reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@thedailyworld.com.