A Perfect World - Or at Least a Step in the Right Direction: A New Vision - "Green" Animal Community Center

When you think of a shelter, you think of cages of 'throw away' pets.... a place where more die than find homes due to the ignorance of people about spaying and neutering who thought it was "cute" to have their kids experience the birth of kittens and puppies; a place where because people have changed their residence ... or their furniture .... without a thought, drop their furry family member on death row. But now, imagine this - an "Animal Community Center".



With words chosen carefully, those at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley in Milpitas, California have had a vision for 12 years and now, as of March 28th .... it's become a reality. Their Animal Community Center is an "inspiring model of humane care, community involvement and green building design for shelters and nonprofits nationwide". [Christine Benninger, president of the HSSV]



Features:

• An animal adoption program
• A community dog park and training center
• A spay/neuter medical center
• A veterinary hospital and public viewing room
• Doggie day care/ boarding and grooming
• A pet store
• An education center offering programs for children, teens and families
• A community events room
• A pet-friendly café
• All existing on a green/sustainable complex

The facility: 48,000 sq ft on 5 acres of cage-less habitats for dogs, cats and rabbits. To relieve stress and correct behavioral conduct - home environments, complete with beds and species-specific toys.



Clinic: The number of spay/neuter procedures is expected to increase from about 30 a day to about 45 a day. The center will accommodate 10,000 animal adoptions a year - 6000 more than previously!



Medical Center Learning Alcove: the public can watch surgeries, there is modern digital equipment, natural lighting and more prep and surgery tables.



A Dog’s Life: doggie day care, boarding, grooming and training services. Fun and good behavior are encouraged with round-the-clock supervision.



2 Dog Parks: one for small breeds and one for larger.



The entire area is "green" and sustainable: a solar system to generate 40 percent of the center’s energy needs, an efficient kennel-cleansing system to ensure proper disinfecting and reduce water use, a reflective “cool” roof to reduce energy costs, stained concrete flooring to reduce the chemicals and water needed for cleaning and lower energy bills, on-site bioswales to clean rainwater runoff before water enters the sewage system, and artificial turf and native plants in the dog park to lower the demand for irrigation.



The result?

A Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design); a change in the public's view of how animals should be treated; and very happy pets - both adopted and those looking to be adopted, in an interactive community.



Christine Benninger says,“Our sustainable, environmentally friendly Animal Community Center not only promotes animals but showcases the ease and beauty of water savings, energy efficiency and building in harmony with nature.”





California's First Regional Animal Community Center - the address is 901 Ames Ave, Milpitas. Website is www.hssv.org
Original Post HERE:
http://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/vet-breaking-news/2009/03/30/humane-society-opens-green-animal-community-center.aspx
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