Animal Allies presents $21,622.82 to Superior for new shelter; members press for heated floors

Animal Allies presented a $21,622.82 check to the City of Superior at the Nov. 5 Common Council meeting, asking that the funds help pay for finishing work — including tile and possible in-floor heating — at a new Douglas County Humane Society adoption center under construction at Bear Creek Park.

The donation was introduced during public presentation time by an Animal Allies representative, who said, “On behalf of the board of directors ... I’m honored and proud to present this check to the city of Superior in the amount of $21,622.82.” The representative described Animal Allies’ earlier role in a countywide collaboration with the city, the Animal Rescue Federation and the Humane Society of Douglas County to establish a shelter serving Douglas County, and said many donors left their pledges in place after the nonprofit ceased operating the project.

The contribution and construction progress matter to operators and supporters because members argued it could be used to improve animal welfare and long-term operating costs. “For us to not do that is insane. And it’s totally wrong,” said Bob, a meeting speaker and supporter, urging that in-floor heating be installed.

Council members and presenters discussed two heating approaches. The Animal Allies representative said installing hydronic in-floor heating in the concrete slab would be the long-term ideal but likely more expensive and that the project can still incorporate heating during interior finishes. As an alternative, the representative described an electric matting product that “would embed into the mortar of the tile” and estimated that option at “somewhere around $5,000,” saying it could be installed in half the areas to reduce upfront cost and allow operators to turn zones off and on.

On construction status, the Animal Allies representative reported visiting the site in the days before the meeting and said the footings had been poured and that the concrete slab would be poured once the footings cure. Presenters said the electric matting approach could be added when tile is installed after the slab and interior finishes are completed.

There was no council vote or formal action on accepting the donation or selecting heating options during the meeting; presenters gave the check to the city and council members thanked them. The donation’s designated uses — whether for tile, electric matting or another finish — were discussed as possibilities at the meeting but no formal appropriation or directive was recorded in the transcript.

Background: presenters said Animal Allies had led a capital campaign tied to the original shelter agreement and raised funds for construction costs; some contributors requested refunds after the nonprofit stepped away from operating the facility, while others left pledges in place. The new adoption center is being built at Bear Creek Park and will be operated by the Douglas County Humane Society, according to presenters at the meeting.

Next steps discussed at the Nov. 5 meeting included incorporating donated funds into finishing decisions when interior contractors begin tile work and further review of heating options by those who will operate the shelter. No additional timeline or formal assignment to staff or council committees was given in the meeting record.