Cherokee County will soon have another alternative for housing stray and unwanted animals.

The Cherokee Humane Society held groundbreaking ceremonies last week for its new animal shelter to be located in a 3,000 square foot building on property in Centre Industrial Park off Alabama Highway 9 South. On hand for the ceremonies were Centre Mayor Phil Powell, District Attorney Mike Odell, Deputy District Attorney and member of the board of the Humane Society Scott Lloyd, Assistant District Attorney Bob Johnston, County Commissioner Earl Westbrook, County Attorney Dean Buttram Jr., Chamber of Commerce Director Theresa Hulgan, Cherokee Humane Society Board Members and others.

Freda Waters, president, Cherokee Humane Society, said the facility, located on part of 10 acres purchased by the humane society, once completed, will house up to 65 animals. Total estimated cost of the project is approximately $250,000. To date, Cherokee Humane Society has raised approximately $40,000.

“It is just going to take a lot more money and a lot more time,” said Waters. “Hopefully, when this dries up out here, we are going to start laying the foundation and the plumbing work and that will pretty much eat up our budget, about $40,000. Then we will have to start over again raising more funds, but if there is anybody in Cherokee County who would like to make a donation to the Cherokee County m Humane Society we will appreciate it.”

Even without a shelter facility, Cherokee Humane Society has made significant strides since its official formation in 1999, Waters said.

“We have rescued numerous animals during that four years,” said Waters. “We have set aside money for the spade and neuter program, To date, we have helped about 121 people in Cherokee County who have had their pets that they already spayed or neutered. The spay/neuter program is designed to help those that already have pets have them spayed or neutered. Unfortunately, we are only able to have one pet per household done. They can call my office in Fort Payne, 845-9463 and asked to speak to somebody. We make the appointment there with the vets office and when they take the animal into the vet to have it spaded or neutered, they make a $25 co payment at the vet’s office. The Cherokee Humane Society pays the remaining balance. That cuts down the number of animals that are abandoned.”

Cherokee Humane Society, Waters said, has also been instrumental in working with local prosecutors to bring those guilty of animal abuse and neglect to justice during that time.

Board Member Ethel Sprouse said donations to the Humane Society are welcome and are needed to help complete the project and get the shelter operational. Contributions can be sent to the Cherokee County Humane Society, P.O. Box 99, Centre, Al. 35960.

“If somebody would like to remember us in their estate, we can work with that also,” said Mrs. Sprouse.

Cherokee Humane Society also hopes to pursue other grants and donations as well, Sprouse said.

“It feels really good to see something like this taking place” said JoAnn Payne, fundraising chairperson, Cherokee Humane Society. “It’s been a long time coming and it has been a lot of work, and we have a long way to go.”

Cherokee Humane Society Board Members, Mrs. Payne said, are gearing up for another year of fundraising in 2004, with a formal Valentine’s Dance at Cherokee Country Club in February; a tropical plant sale, display at Cherokee Electric Cooperative Home and Garden Show, the Second Annual Spaghetti Supper and the Celebrity Bagging at Ingles, all in March, and other events throughout the year.

On behalf of the Humane Society, Mrs. Payne reminds citizens to take their aluminum cans for recycling to Midway Variety on Cedar Bluff Road between Centre and Cedar Bluff and donate the proceeds to the Humane Society.

“We have talked about implementing an animal control ordinance,” said Centre Mayor Phil Powell. “It is going to be very convenient for us and the whole county. We appreciate the work Jo Ann, Freda and all the volunteers have done.”

“I want to thank everybody for their support and getting this pulled together,” said Waters. “It’s been a long time in the making, but it is going to happen and I certainly appreciate you coming and certainly appreciate everybody’s support. We look forward to working with all of the municipalities in the county and hopefully, once we get our facility built, they can pass some ordinances pertaining to stray and unwanted animals.