PUEBLO, COLO. -- A nonprofit organization in Pueblo is trying to raise money to build a new "green" no-kill animal shelter for dogs and cats in Pueblo.
Staff from the Animal Welfare and Protection Society AWPS) were guests on FOX21 Morning News on Thursday to talk about their plans.
AWPS is a 30-year-old organization in Pueblo with a mission to take in lost or unwanted animals, return them to their owners whenever possible or, after having them spayed or neutered, to reduce over-population by placing them in good homes.
It hopes to do more, by creating the PAWS For Life Animal Campus, a new environmentally sensitive, energy-efficient facility that will effectively increase animal welfare and adoption rates.
One hundred percent of the donations for the new campus capital campaign will go directly toward building the new facility.
Phase 1 of the new 7.5 acre PAWS for Life campus will include a new, environmentally-advanced and sustainable 25,000 square-foot shelter.
Future phases include a bark park, agility course, doggie day care center and an EmergiCare Vet Clinic.
Approximately 220 new construction-related jobs will be created during the estimated one year of construction of the new shelter. In addition, 42 new permanent jobs will be created: 10 kennel, 14 doggie day care, and 18 EmergiCare jobs.
PAWS For Life is the first animal shelter in Colorado seeking Platinum LEED® certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
Significance of sustainable construction:
* The facility requires fewer utilities
* Lower utility costs over time results in LEED payout in less than five years
* Deriving power from natural resources
* Sustainable - not depleting natural resources
* Lower overall operating costs - contributes to better overall care of animals
* Environmental health of the building contributes to the improved physical health of the animals, employees, volunteers, visitors
* Natural, more healthy, humane habitat for the animals
* Monthly operating costs are traditionally the biggest expense - these costs are minimized through sustainable construction
* Better air quality/air circulation for animals, employees, volunteers, visitors
* Sanitation is improved through better drainage, leading to less mold and bacteria
* Healthier environment means lower absenteeism rates among employees and volunteers
PAWS for Life is seeking donations to build the new no-kill animal shelter.
For more information call 719-253-0428 or log on to www.PAWSitivelyPUEBLO.COM.
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