INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Major renovations are underway at The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County. The enhancements include the installation of one large window in the shelter’s largest cat room, the creation of an additional shelter exit and a repainting of the shelter’s dog kennels. The Humane Society’s receiving and adoption buildings were constructed in 2003.
The most exciting change is the new 10’ x 5’ window in the shelter’s largest cat room. Planned for more than a year, eight of the cat room’s “cat condos” have been removed to make way for one large viewing window with a bench running beneath it for cat volunteers working inside the room.
“When the shelter was initially constructed the thinking was that cats should all be housed separately in the cat condos to keep them healthy,” explains Chalmers Morse, the Humane Society’s executive director. “The consensus among many shelter vets has changed and we’re learning that most cats actually are healthier and happier when they are allowed to co-mingle. The removal of the cat condos and the installation of the larger window will also give visitors a better view of our adoptable cats,” he added.
While construction and painting are underway, dogs and cats have been temporarily relocated to several areas throughout the Humane Society’s adoption building. Renovations should be completed within two weeks.