FAQs
What is the Animal Foundation of Great Falls?
The Animal Foundation of Great Falls is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. Our primary purpose is to build a modern animal shelter and to assist in maintaining the Pacific Steel & Recycling Trailside Dog Park. Our address is PO Box 3426, Great Falls, MT, 59403. Our tax identification number is 72-1537063.
Why is it named the Margaret J. Maclean Animal Shelter?
The Estate of Margaret J. Maclean gave $400,000 in matching funds to the Animal Foundation. The match was successfully met in full in the fall of 2005. Ms. Maclean was raised on a family farm and ranch west of Conrad, MT. She died on April 11, 1997, at the age of 83. To read the Great Falls Tribune article on Margaret Maclean click here.
Why do we need a new animal shelter?
The current animal shelter was built in the 1970s and is outdated, too small, and poorly designed. It does not provide a healthy environment for the animals and staff and it is not conducive to promoting adoptions and other animal welfare services. The facility will include an educational room for children's camps and programs.
Why does it cost so much money to build a shelter?
Animal shelters are complex buildings with sophisticated drainage and air exchange systems that are crucial to prevent the spread of disease. Materials must be durable, easy to clean, and minimize the potential for health problems. These requirements must be balanced with the need to provide an environment that is comfortable for the animals and staff and inviting to the public.
Where will the shelter be located and built?
The Margaret J. Maclean Animal Shelter will be located on 4 acres at 900 26th Avenue NE. The land was obtained from the City of Great Falls and a private landowner. The land sits west of the City’s shelter and across the street from North Middle School.
Who will operate the new shelter?
The Foundation recognizes that it has a responsibility to the hundreds of people who have donated to the project. Because of this, the Foundation will operate the new shelter once it is complete.
How will donors be recognized?
All donors receive our newsletter and those who contribute $1,000 or more will have their names permanently displayed in the new facility. At certain levels of giving, people or businesses may designate a specific area of the shelter as a memorial or honorarium for a special person or pet. In addition, “pavers” are being sold to allow people to recognize friends, family members, or pets.
What is a dog park?
It is a fun place that allows dogs to run and play “off-leash” in a fenced area. There are over 700 dog parks in the USA and they provide an interesting and frolicking place for both dogs and people to visit. On July 15th, 2009, the Animal Foundation opened the first Dog Park in Great Falls. The Pacific Steel and Recycling Trailside Dog Park is over two acres in size and has areas for small and large dogs to play.
Why did the Animal Foundation build a dog park before building the shelter?
Great Falls dog lovers were clamoring for a park where their pets could run free. We used donations earmarked specifically for a park and investment income. We think the park will encourage people to contribute to a new shelter. Building the park has not slowed construction of a new shelter, and it has greatly enriched the lives of the dogs that go there to romp and play. We invite you to check it out!
The City Commission’s decision to end the partnership with the Animal Foundation in May 2010 has raised a number of questions about what’s next for our organization.
What are your plans without City partnership?
We intend to proceed and build a new shelter that will be smaller and built in phases. It will include kennels, larger cages and common areas for cats, a training room for dogs and a community education room. We have downsized the building considerably and are working with our architects on finalizing the new design. It will allow for future expansion, including animal control, in the event that the City wants to discuss a partnership on one shelter in the future.
What will a new building cost?
We don’t know the exact cost yet because we are in a “redesign” phase. We will continue to work with our architect and contractor in an attempt to drive the costs down as low as possible without compromising the needs of the animals, staff and public.
Why such a fancy building?
It isn’t fancy; the building will be a basic design and not a dog and cat pound. Animal shelters, done right, are complex buildings that require sophisticated drainage and air exchange systems to prevent the spread of disease. Special materials must be used to ensure thorough and easy cleaning of kennels and cat areas. We plan to use materials that last 50 years or more.
Why not remodel the current shelter or one of the many vacant buildings in town?
Experts tell us the existing shelter is outdated and in desperate need of replacement. Retrofitting it (or another building) with modern drainage and air exchange systems would actually cost more than starting from scratch. While the upfront costs of a new shelter seem expensive, we can save a lot of money in the long run by installing modern heating and cooling systems. One such system will pre-heat air pulled in from outdoors (when outdoor air temperature is colder than inside) with the air we are sending to the outside. This type of system will lower utility costs about $1,000 a month and pay for itself in just three years.
Who runs the Great Falls Animal Shelter now?
The City of Great Falls operates the current shelter. Animal control officers are city employees supervised by the Police Department.
Why spend money on animals when there are children and elderly with great needs?
Caring for people in need is vitally important and we’re fortunate that a number of organizations focus on that goal. The Animal Foundation believes that treating animals humanely is important, too. We don’t see this as an either/or option. Many of our contributors and volunteers strongly support human and animal welfare in Great Falls and the surrounding area.
Where is all the money you have raised since 2002?
Early on, our trustees chose to keep all of our monies in safe, conservative investments. We’re thankful that when the stock market declined, not one dime was lost. As of June 30, 2010, we have $1,273,930 and we’re still working hard to raise money. Find out more on our web site: www.theanimalfoundation.org.
What are you doing for animals NOW?
We help the city of Great Falls maintain the Pacific Steel & Recycling Dog Park on River Drive. We hold twice-yearly spay/neuter clinics to address pet overpopulation, which leads to the deaths of thousands of unwanted cats and dogs. Since 2006 we’ve altered 3,532 dogs and cats at a cost of about $20,000 a year. An army of volunteers helps keep costs low. We also administer an ongoing grant program to alter dogs. Local vets do these surgeries.
How do I contact the Animal Foundation?
Letters and donations can be mailed to the Animal Foundation, PO Box 3426, Great Falls, MT, 59403. For more information, call us at 727.7387, contact one of our board members by clicking here, or email us at development@theanimalfoundation.com. We’d love to hear from you!