New Animal Control and Care Center sports new name as well as new facility at 800 Livingston Avenue

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Open House Set Thursday & Friday at New Animal Control and Care Center

Humane Society Give Me Shelter Campaign Exceeds $100,000 Fund-Raising Goal

June 6, 2004
By: Dave Rogers

      The new Bay County Animal Control and Care Center will have its open house Thursday and Friday, June 10 and 11, at 800 Livingston Avenue.

      County Executive Tom Hickner pointed out that the new facility was built by Bay County with substantial financial assistance from the Bay County Humane Society.

      The Humane Society's Give Me Shelter Campaign exceeded its goal of $100,000 by about 10 percent, according to co-chair Jeanne Wolicki-Nichols.

      Mike Gray, executive assistant to the county executive, said the campaign was "an excellent example of what a public-private partnership can accomplish in raising funds for a public facility." Mr. Hickner noted that the animal control shelter followed a model from the Bay County Civic Arena in which a public support group was very active in raising funds for construction.

      The ribbon cutting ceremony and family day will be held Thursday at 3 p.m. Special recognition will be given to supporters and students who contributed artwork and books for the shelter.Refreshments and a tour will be held 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

      On Friday, refreshments and a tour will occur from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and a time capsule will be buried at 5:30 p.m. outside the shelter.