YORK COUNTY — The Heritage Humane Society (HHS) unveiled its expanded and upgraded shelter that includes 2,550 square feet of space added to the front of the facility.
The shelter held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the facility, located at 430 Waller Mill Road, on Tuesday, Dec. 7 to reveal the finished project to stakeholders and other community members.
The expansion will meet the needs of the animal population in the community, as well as provide more space for the staff and volunteers to give proper care and training to the animals and their human companions.
The $1.8 million project includes the addition of 2,550 square feet to the front of the adoption facility and more than 820 square feet for a multipurpose room.
The expansion includes a renovation to the lobby, with a gift store sponsored by Chesapeake Bank. With 24 staff members and over six hundred volunteers, the expansion also includes an upgrade to the administrative side of the facility with four new staff member offices, new parking spaces and an employee and volunteer breakroom.
A new multipurpose space located in the lobby features a dog activity and viewing room, as well as two pet feature rooms and a new classroom that will serve as a space for educational and dog behavioral classes and volunteer training.
Two new outdoor play yards will also allow the shelter’s dogs to have play time without the leases.
“Our dog training program has helped so many animals not come into the shelter,” Kimberly Laska, executive director of HHS, said. “Now we have two beautiful play yards and we have a place for dogs to be able to run and play and be dogs.”
The expansion project, designed by Guernsey Tingle, was first envisioned in 2014. Henderson Inc., the project’s contractor, began construction in the spring of 2021.
“The work that the people do here is amazing,” Erich Kadel, superintendent of Henderson Inc., said. “I’ve been with Henderson for 21 years, been on a lot of projects, and a lot of them that really mean a lot, and this one is definitely one of those.”
President of the Board of Directors, Heather Harmon, said that support from staff, donors and members of the community helped make the project happen.
“I believe it takes a lot of people that are passionate about something to get us to the point where we can make something happen, and this is living proof,” she said. “There’s always been loving arms inside of this building when those little souls come in, but now they’ve got a home that they’ll truly be happy in.”
Also in attendance was Scott Stevens, James City County administrator, and Williamsburg Mayor Doug Pons, who commended HHS for its work in the community and helping to find new homes for animals.
“Having this new environment, I think, really makes it a whole lot easier for everyone,” Pons said.
Laska said that while people often think of HHS as a place where animals come when they’re at the end of the road, the facility is really where their lives are just getting started and will help them find “that perfect way home.”
“We are part of a new beginning for Heritage Humane Society,” Laska said. “We’re part of the next chapter.”
