Watauga Humane Society moves this week

The long-awaited time has arrived: The Watauga Humane Society is moving into its new facility, which will open to the public on Friday, Sept. 30.

The newly constructed Irma Baker Lyons Adoption and Education Center received a Certificate of Occupancy last Friday, two years to the day following the beginning of construction.

The new facility boasts nearly 17,000 square feet and incorporates both state-of-the-art and “green” technology. It is located at 312 Paws Way, an access road off Don Hayes Road, which feeds off of Old U.S. 421 South in the Rutherwood community. The new shelter sits on a hillside, which overlooks the society’s Dog Park, which many residents already frequent.

The Watauga Humane Society will be closed Monday through Thursday, Sept. 26 to 29, as the move to the new shelter facility is undertaken. The organization will welcome the public at the new location on Friday, Sept. 30, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Hours at the new facility will remain the same: Tuesday through Friday from 12:30 to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 12:30 to 5 p.m., and closed on Monday. Contact numbers will remain the same: (828) 264-7865 and fax (828) 264-7996.

TAKE PAWS
Anyone who has a dog or cat to be turned in Monday through Thursday, Sept. 26 to 29, should contact Watauga County Animal Care and Control at (828) 262-1672. Animals will be accepted at the new facility beginning Friday, Sept. 30.

The weekly spay/neuter clinic will take place at the new location beginning Thursday, Oct. 6. Spay/neuter clinic dog and cat drop offs on Sept. 29 between 7 and 7:30 a.m., with pickups on Sept. 30 after 11:30 a.m., will both take place at the old location, 200 Casey Lane, as originally scheduled.
The Watauga Humane Society invites everyone in the community to visit the new Irma Baker For more information, visit the website at http://www.wataugahumanesociety.org.