I recently adopted a cat from the Humane Society (relax, this isn’t a cat story!). The adoption process wasn’t easy. It caused an uncomfortable friction in the heart or soul (or whatever you want to call it), something like the sensation one gets when the broken ends of a bone rub together. One is at the shelter with a mind openly exploring the prospect of bringing a new family member home. One simultaneously must close or harden one’s self, lest risk getting carried away. For any animal that is chosen there are others that would make equally good pets and deserve a good home just as much.
The Humane Society in my area (the Humane Society-Silicon Valley) has recently completed its final steps in reinventing the pet adoption experience, and indeed the notion of an animal shelter in its entirety. The grand opening party for the new location was March 28, 2009.
Gone is the small facility, along with its cramped rooms and metal cages. The new Animal Community Center stretches out 48,000 square feet, and sits on nearly five acres of land. Animals are kept in rooms that simulate home environments. The colors inside are warm, there are murals painted on the walls, there are plenty of windows and natural light. The critters look so comfortable it’s easy to (mis)conceive that the animals are home. Hopefully potential adopters don’t hesitate to gain a new housemate, for not wanting to disturb their well-being!
There are other features that help make the Humane Society’s new location a destination in a sense wider than simply a place to adopt a pet. The center sports a community dog park and training center of generous size; a pet-friendly café; an education center with programs for children, teens and families; and facilities for doggie daycare, boarding and grooming. In short, there are many positive reasons to go to the Humane Society, and it simply feels like a good place to be.
These perks are amplified by the environmental goods that the Humane Society has incorporated into the new facility’s design. The Humane Society is expected to earn a Gold level LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. I’ll mention just a few of the site’s new design elements. The turf in the dog park looks and feels real, but it’s not. That, and the use of water-conservative native plants will reduce irrigation needs. The landscape is bioswaled so that rainwater runoff is cleaned before it enters the sewage treatment system. An onsite solar system is expected to generate 40 percent of the center’s energy needs. The “cool” reflective roof should decrease how much the building is heated by the sun, and so reduce the need for A/C. And the disinfection system used in kennels has changed so that it uses less water while still maintaining the proper results.
I was frankly blown away by the enthusiasm, care, and commitment exhibited by the people at the Humane Society when I adopted Clover, way back when the location looked for all the world like there was a lot to be cheerless about. But they do everything that they can with what they’ve got for the animals in their care.
Photo source: Humane Society of Silicon Valley.