GLOVERSVILLE - It's been five years since an anonymous donor gave $20,000 in May 2007 to the city to build an animal holding facility. Now, thanks to a public-private partnership between the city and the Regional Animal Shelter, the long-empty 16-by-36-foot building officially will open.
A grand opening ceremony and ribbon cutting is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday at the Regional Animal Shelter's new city annex at 117 W. Fulton St., south of the Gloversville Transit Building.
The work of volunteers over the past year have transformed the shelter building. It now has the capacity to hold eight dogs.
In June 2011, the Common Council passed resolutions authorizing a four-year lease agreement with the Regional Animal Shelter, as well as a development agreement.
Fourth Ward Councilwoman Ellen Anadio initially began working with the shelter. Several other council members also began to volunteer.
The Regional Animal Shelter is also raising funds to build a large $250,000 shelter on 26 acres on Maple Avenue in the town of Johnstown.
Under the four-year lease agreement, the Regional Animal Shelter will provide shelter services to the city. The group will lease kennel space to the city for $1, and the city will rent the building to the group for $1 per year.
Regional Animal Shelter President Robin Markert said the shelter annex has already handled one case in which a dog became loose when it slipped its collar. The dog was returned to its owner.
She said volunteers as well as donations of dog treats and toys, cleaning products, mops, office supplies and other items are needed.
"As we speak the final touches are going in now," Markert said Wednesday. "Everything is there. The kennels are all done. It's just a matter of placing things."
For more information, go to www.regionalanimalshelter.com or the group's Facebook page.
Amanda Whistle covers Gloversville news. She can be reached at gloversville@leaderherald.com.