POTSDAM -- Potsdam Humane Society’s new animal shelter is taking shape on Madrid Avenue.

The 3823 sq. ft wing is 30 percent complete as the roof starts to appear on the skyline, according to the Humane Society.

The structure will be enclosed soon to insure work can continue during the coldest part of winter. Once the new section is complete, the entire shelter and its residents will be moved while the old shelter is renovated into a new surgery suite, puppy and kitten nurseries, and isolation/evaluation/treatment areas for incoming animal companions.

After that, the two separate buildings will be connected to create the new and much improved Potsdam Animal Shelter.

The new section will become the adoption center for the public to visit, to volunteer, or to adopt a furry friend. It will also house a welcoming reception area, office space, and the Chad Fuller Community Room where educational programs and meetings will be held.

The North Country collectively has raised over $500,000, which was the amount of cash needed to start building. But the Humane Society says the work will not be done when the building is completed. There will be added costs to staff and run this larger facility. PHS has secured a low interest government loan of over $400,000, which will be repaid with a monthly mortgage payment.

Community generosity is expected to continue to funnel funds to PHS to continue the programs of the past and to initiate many new ones being planned to benefit all residents of the North County.

“Gifts of all sizes have made building the new shelter possible; now it is very important to keep those gifts—large and small—flowing into the mailbox at 17 Madrid Avenue,” says Bonnie Boyd, PHS Board President,” so that we can operate a top notch animal facility today and into the future.”

Potsdam Humane Society serves the residents of most of St. Lawrence County. It has contracts with 10 towns: Lawrenceville, Parishville, Hopkinton, Colton, Pierrepont, Clifton, Norfolk, LIsbon, Stockholm, and Potsdam. These contracts entitle those town residents to fully utilize the programs at the shelter, such as owner surrendering of pets. PHS would like to add Madrid, Waddington and Canton to the list of contracted townships, and to better serve those who live in those three towns in the coming New Year.

Contributions for the operations of the shelter may be mailed to the Potsdam Humane Society at 17 Madrid Ave. Potsdam, NY 13676, or given through a PayPal account on line at potsdamhumanesociety.org, or credit card at 265-3199.