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Shelter accepts donated facility work, outlines truck replacement plan and summer outreach
Summary
The LaPorte County Animal Shelter Advisory Committee approved donated labor and supplies from Alexandria Molding for clinic improvements, directed staff to pursue a vehicle‑replacement plan for aging trucks, and reviewed upcoming adoption and fundraising events.
The LaPorte County Animal Shelter Advisory Committee on June 18 approved accepting donated labor and materials from Alexandria Molding to improve the shelter's clinic area and kennels, and discussed an operational plan to address aging work trucks.
Brooke, the shelter director, described proposed work from Alexandria Molding, including replacing a small grassy area adjacent to the clinic with lower‑maintenance surfacing (to improve sanitation), filling large gaps under kennels to reduce cross‑contamination, and doubling up a fence line that borders a public park to improve containment. "They offered to donate labor and supplies to do the work," Brooke said. The committee approved accepting the assistance pending routine volunteer/liability paperwork and county‑attorney review.
Committee members also addressed fleet needs. Staff reported two trucks (model years 2015 and 2017) with high mileage and no temperature‑controlled cargo areas, creating safety and animal‑welfare concerns for long transports. Members discussed retrofit options (installing compartment boxes) versus replacement with a lower cargo van equipped with permanent kennels. The committee appointed Adam Hannah and Brent Kesler to work with Brooke to develop a recommendation and cost estimate for the next meeting.
Members reviewed outreach and fundraising activity: a recent National Adoption Week event and PetSmart adoption appearances produced adoptions, a June 26 Movie‑in‑the‑Park presence and a June 28 car‑show fundraiser (proceeds to the shelter) are planned, and a Pine Lake Arby’s partner is interested in hosting a microchip clinic. Brooke noted PetSmart Charities grants may provide funding when adoptions are completed at events.
By voice vote the committee approved accepting Alexandria Molding's assistance and approved extending an expiring contract to September 30 to allow time for fuller review and planning. The committee did not commit to purchasing new vehicles at the meeting; it asked staff and the two appointed members to return with a plan and cost estimates.
