Furkids to Dedicate Renovated Dog Shelter Constructed by Choate

compliments of NeighborNewspapers.com

Furkids, one of the most successful nonprofit animal rescue organizations in the southeast, is hosting a dedication ceremony Saturday May 10th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for Sadie’s Place, the newest and most modern shelter for homeless dogs in the metro area.

Sadie’s Place is at 1520 Union Hill Road, Alpharetta.

Furkids is the nonprofit animal rescue organization that cares for more animals (more than 600) than any other animal group in the area.

Along with the dog shelter, Furkids operates the largest no-kill, cage-free shelter for homeless cats in the Southeast.

Choate Construction President Millard Choate enabled the renovation of the 34-year-old dog shelter with a $100,000 matching grant to Furkids last year; Furkids raised funds to match the grant.

Choate carried out the construction work and many of its contractors donated their services to help complete the project.

Sadie’s Place is named in memory of Sadie, the Choate family’s beloved Weimaraner, who died in 2013 at the age of 13.

The 4,900 square-foot Furkids dog shelter houses about 40 homeless dogs rescued by Furkids and available for adoption. Furkids needed to create a more welcoming and operationally efficient facility, to provide a better shelter life for the animals and a better experience for volunteers, adopters and the pet therapy groups that visit the facility.

Renovations to the exterior include grading, new fencing, new parking in front and back of the building, new driveway, new concrete pavement in the rear, new dog runs and play areas, and outdoor site work that expands the useable area of the dog recreational area, make it more animal and people-friendly while controlling erosion and runoff from adjacent properties.

Interior renovations include the addition of a lobby to welcome visitors, additional windows and doors to allow more daylight into the facility, new acoustic tiles and wall coverings, relocation of public restrooms, additional meet and greet rooms, new flooring, new kitchen and prep room, new grooming room and a new quarantine area. The renovation also includes all new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.

The renovations are designed to provide a happier, more healthful and homelike environment for rescued dogs, and a more welcoming atmosphere for potential adopters and people who participate in pet therapy with Furkids dogs.

Furkids, which hosts a number of adult pet therapy groups and children’s volunteer opportunities, is the only animal rescue organization that welcomes children to volunteer.

“Millard Choate’s contribution, along with the contribution of Choate Construction suppliers and Furkids supporters, are an answered prayer for all of us who have been struggling with how to upgrade our dog shelter and better serve our animals, families and volunteers,” said Samantha Shelton, Furkids founder and executive director. “What’s equally significant is that Millard’s gift goes far beyond money. This contribution is part of a love story — a dog’s love for her owner, a family’s love for its dog and the love of Furkids people for the animals and families we serve. We are sincerely touched by the depth of this gift and are so grateful for it.”