Kent County Animal Shelter Celebrates Completion Of New Outdoor Expansion
Enrichment Area Funded by a Legacy Gift from the Marie B. Schipper Trust
GRAND RAPIDS (June 17, 2024) – The Kent County Animal Shelter (KCAS) has opened a new 44,000-square-foot fenced outdoor expansion, creating a state-of-the-art dog park for the canines who temporarily call the shelter home.
This enrichment area is located next to the animal shelter on Kent County's Fuller Campus and includes several activity items for the dogs. Some amenities include a raised platform, a vertical ramp, a tire obstacle course, and several old tree stumps with nooks and crannies to hide yummy treats for them to sniff out.
In April 2023, the KCAS announced plans to construct a new canine enrichment area, a project made possible by the largest donation in the shelter's 84-year history. The Marie B. Schipper Trust gifted $90,000 to the shelter, with $30,000 allocated to replace the outdated X-ray machine, enabling quicker diagnosis and treatment for injured animals. The remaining $40,000 was directed toward the construction of the natural enclosure, a vital component of our canine enrichment program.
Marie Schipper was a Kent County resident who died on November 28, 2021, at the age of 85. The youngest of seven, she grew up on a farm in Newaygo County and had a passion for animals.
"With this new, natural enclosed area, we can offer some of the best canine enrichment. The animals can feel the dirt on their paws, smell where the squirrels have been, dig in the dirt, and do all the things dogs simply love to do," said Kent County Animal Shelter Director Angela Hollinshead. "These activities reduce a lot of stress that develop from living in a shelter which is why this space is such a benefit! Because of the shelter's commitment to not euthanize healthy adoptable animals, the time dogs spend in our care at the shelter is increasing, creating an even greater need for more robust enrichment opportunities."
The shelter has been fortunate to receive several estate gifts over the years. The KCAS is honored to accept these end-of-life contributions, ensuring that your legacy continues to provide care and support for animals in need. By including KCAS in your estate planning, you can help secure a brighter future for countless pets. To learn more, visit here.
"This was such an incredible donation and we are deeply grateful to be able to give our shelter dogs such a wonderful opportunity," concluded Hollinshead. "Our primary goal is to find these animals loving homes but while they are in our care, we don't want them to simply exist rather we want them to thrive."
To learn more about shelter visit Animal Shelter | Kent County, Michigan (accesskent.com). The KCAS has numerous animals ready for adoption. To see the adoptable pets, click here.
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Please Note: The family of Marie Schipper is unavailable for media comment.
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