An Expansion Project for Pets and People
We are thrilled to share with you weekly progress updates on our expansion. We encourage you to visit this site regularly to check out what is going on!
By contributing to this project, you are making a world of difference in the lives of homeless pets. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your support.
October 26, 2021
October 22, 2021
October 20, 2021
October 14, 2021
October 12, 2021
October 5, 2021
October 1, 2021
September 29, 2021
September 24, 2021
September 21, 2021
First Look at the Inside of our Front Area Expansion
Here is the first look at the interior space being added to the front of the Adoption Center. This 2,550 square foot addition will include a multipurpose classroom with a restroom, a dedicated area for our community outreach Kibble Kitchen program, pet feature rooms, staff offices, and employee and staff breakroom!
September 10, 2021
August 31, 2021
August 29, 2021
Check out the amazing progess at the front of the Adoption Center!
August 18, 2021
Thank You to Ace Peninsula Hardware
Ace Peninsula Hardware is a local business that went the extra mile. For the month of June, they challenged their customers with a round-up campaign, raising $3,670! Because of the popularity of this round-up, Terry Deaver and the Ace Hardware management team doubled every dollar raised by our incredible community! And, they have decided to run this same round-up during the month of October. We are so thankful for this local support and all of the generous donors that have made this support possible.
If you are a business owner, or affiliated with a local business that might want to get involved with helping us reach our goal, we’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected].
August 15, 2021
Indoor Dog Activity Room
Words from Executive Director, Kimberly Laska
“My favorite part of the room is actually the window. For the 8.5 years I have served at Heritage Humane, this window has been one of greatest challenges. Nearly every night, dogs could be housed in this room so they could stretch their legs. But it became a safety concern that outweighed the benefit. Unfortunately, while cleaning, water would pool on the window ledge with no way to escape, so if it wasn’t dried properly it had the potential to hold disease or unknown viruses. The window ledge was replaced several times but the material could be easily compromised by a determined and bored dog. No matter what we tried, we were unable to find a workable solution until now! In conjunction with the architects at GuernseyTingle, experts at Henderson Construction, and specialists at DMA, they found a way to make this a usable and safe space for all. This collaboration is one of many, many successes of this project so far and we are so grateful!”
August 10, 2021
Indoor Dog Activity & Viewing Rooms
Check out the newly renovated indoor dog viewing and activity rooms! The epoxy floors are beautiful and safe for the dogs with their anti-skid finish, the tile walls are able to be disinfected and scrubbed daily, the epoxy finish paint and special ceiling tiles are all designed with the pets in mind. The final step for these rooms will be the doors being installed!
August 3, 2021
The wall tiling was installed in our new indoor Dog Activity Room today!
July 28, 2021
Epoxy Flooring
Dog Activity & Viewing Rooms
Construction continues in our new indoor dog activity room and dog viewing room. This week the epoxy flooring was added to both rooms. As you know, pets can make a mess and we need floors that can withstand many dog visitors over the years. The new epoxy flooring is exceptionally durable and will withstand scratches from claws of all sizes. It can also be sprayed, scrubbed, and sanitized which is essential in a shelter environment.
July 23, 2021
Construction continues are the front of our Adoption Center. Today cement was poured!
July 20, 2021
Construction Continues Inside
Dog Activity & Viewing Rooms
Construction continues in our new indoor dog activity room and dog viewing room. This week the metal framing, insulation, and walls went up. The next step is the floors! These spaces will be used for playtime and enrichment for the dogs in our care, adoptions, and so much more!
July 19, 2021
External Walls Being Erected!
We are thrilled to share this update with you! The external walls were erected at the front of our Adoption Center this week! We encourage you to watch to video to see the transformation! Seeing our lobby addition, multipurpose classroom, pet feature rooms, and staff offices take shape was incredible to watch!
July 10, 2021
Check out the WY Daily article written about the Expansion Project!
July 8, 2021
First Paws in our New Multipurpose Classroom!
Adoptable dog Mama was the first dog to step her paws into our soon-to-be multipurpose classroom! This room will make such a difference in the lives of people and pets in this community – dog training classes, humane education initiatives, meetings, birthday parties, animal camps, and so much more! There will be many more paws and feet walking and running in this space soon! The next step in construction is the walls!
July 6, 2021
The concrete flooring was laid down today at the front of our Adoption Center. The area to the right will soon be our new multipurpose classroom where we will be able to host animal camps, dog training classes, humane education initiatives, and so much more!
July 1, 2021
Construction Inside our Front Lobby
Over the past couple of weeks, our staff and volunteers have been moving all of our furniture and office supplies out of our old front lobby. Our temporary Front Desk/Adoption area is located in our Cat Colony room while construction is going on. Moving out of our old lobby was bittersweet. We have had a lot of wonderful memories in this space and the privilege of meeting and helping thousands of people and pets over the years.
We are excited to be able to do even more for this community once our newly renovated front lobby is complete. Check out the video to see the progress that has been done so far.
June 29, 2021
Construction continues at the front of our Adoption Center. You can start to see the beginnings of our new pet feature rooms, classroom, and staff offices.
June 24, 2021
The new sink and toilets were installed in our new women’s restroom. The next step is installing the stalls!
June 23, 2021
Construction continues at the front of our Adoption Center. Check out the video below to see the amazing transformation so far!
June 20, 2021
Our Adoption Center is Closed June 20 – June 24
Important Update:
Our Adoption Center will be CLOSED from June 21 – June 24. We are not scheduling any adoption appointments during this time. We are still open for strays and emergency appointments.
Construction will be starting inside our front lobby area later this week and our staff and volunteers will be moving furniture and office items out of the lobby during these days. If you are interested in meeting a pet during this time, we encourage you to email [email protected]. Our phones might be down during the move, so email is the best way to reach us. Thank you for your understanding.
June 18, 2021
Our staff and volunteers spent long hours moving furniture and office supplies out of our old front lobby. Next week, the front lobby that many of you have come to over the years to volunteer, donate, or adopt will be demolished so that a newer and more improved lobby can be built.
The groundwork has been laid down for the new additions to our front entrance. We are adding a multipurpose classroom, pet feature rooms, and new offices for the staff at Heritage Humane Society.
June 3, 2021
Construction Continues at the Front Entrance of our Adoption Center
May 28, 2021
Construction has officially started at the front of our facility! Over the coming months over 2,550 square feet will be added to the front of our Adoption Center! The front lobby will be renovated and we will be adding pet feature rooms, a multipurpose classroom, and new offices for staff members!
During that time our front entrance/exit will be closed at all times. The side entrance/exit will be utilized for all guests, volunteers, and staff. Please note that we are still appointment-only for adoption appointments. Please visit www.heritagehumane.org/adopt to learn more about our adoptable pets and how to adopt!
We are also looking for foster homes for the pets in our care while construction is going on. Visit www.heritagehumane.org/foster-volunteers to learn more! We have an online application you can fill out.
May 24, 2021
Construction Is Nearly Complete for the Second Outdoor Playyard
Our second outdoor play yard began and was nearly completed this week. The clearing of the former agility course, leveling of the area, the addition of the drainage system, fabric and stone added, and finally the fencing. Next week we will have the gates installed and then we can start using it with our pups! Make sure to look through the full gallery to see the amazing changes. Stay tuned for adorable photos and video of the pups enjoying the new outdoor playyard soon!
May 20, 2021
Check our this video to see the parking lot construction from start to finish. For anyone who has visited our shelter, you probably know that this addition is very exciting! We now have 16 additional parking spots for guests, volunteers, and staff!
May 18, 2021
Parking Lot Construction is Complete
16 extra parking spaces have been completed, paved, and striped. Parking has become a major issue for our facility as we have grown over the last several years, so this will have a lasting impact on our community, volunteers, adopters, and staff members.
Construction Continues in the Indoor Dog Activity & Viewing Rooms
Our former indoor dog play yard has been demolished and the concrete floor poured. This week, the walls are going in, then tile and FRP are being installed, and finally, fresh paint will be added to make it an amazing space for the pets and people visiting them. The larger room will be our dog activity room and the smaller room will be the dog viewing room.
May 14, 2021
Cement Flooring is Added to the Indoor Dog Activity Room
May 12, 2021
The First Outdoor Playyard is Complete
On May 12 one of the two new outdoor dog playyards was completed! Check out the video to see the construction from start to finish, plus some footage of the dogs in our care enjoying it!
The other playyard is being built right now. When it’s finished, the two playyards will have a combined square footage of over 2,500 ft!! These fenced in areas will be used for exercise, enrichment, playgroups, adoption meet and greets, and so much more!
May 11, 2021
Fencing Goes Up in the Outdoor Playyard
Construction Continues in the Indoor Dog Activity & Viewing Rooms
May 5, 2021
Construction Continues in the Parking Lot
There will soon be 16 new parking spots added to our facility
May 4, 2021
Construction Continues
Indoor & Outdoor Playyard & the Parking Lot
April 27, 2021
Construction Starts Inside!
Construction has officially started inside! Our old indoor playyard is being renovated! Check out the first steps. This will be transformed into a new dog activity room and dog viewing room when construction in this area finishes.
April 20, 2021
Outdoor Playyard Construction
Check out the groundwork of one of the two new outdoor dog playyards! Our new playyards will have a combined total of over 2,500 square feet!
April 15, 2021
Expansion Celebration
On Thursday, April 15 we held a very intimate Expansion Celebration at Heritage Humane Society. This was a casual gathering for the stakeholders in the community. During the celebration, we announced that 87% of the funds need for the expansion had been pledged!
April 13, 2021
Parking Lot Construction Continues
April 12, 2021
Check out the articles written by the Virginia Gazette and WY Daily about the Expansion Project.
April 6, 2021
Outdoor Playyard and Parking Lot Construction
Construction has started in our parking lot. Sixteen new parking spots are being added. Our old outdoor play yard was removed on April 6. That area will become part of our new parking lot. To the right of the old play yard will be one of the two new dog outdoor play yards that will have a combined total of over 2,500 square feet! These fenced-in areas will be used for exercise, enrichment, playgroups, adoption meet and greets, and so much more! Here is what has been done so far to one of the play yards.
March 29, 2021
Construction Has Started!
Our memorial bricks and pavers were carefully removed from the front of our shelter and temporarily relocated to a safe storage area. This area will become part of our renovated front lobby area and new offices for staff members. Our new brick garden will be relocated to a different part of the facility. Stay tuned for more details on that!
March 25, 2021
Construction is about to begin!
The first area that will be renovated is our parking lot! 16 NEW parking spots will be added. Construction is scheduled to bring on Tuesday, April 6! Stay tuned for more details.
Learn More and Contribute
Help pave the way and leave a lasting legacy at Heritage Humane Society. There is a list of naming opportunities and all gifts of $2,500 or more will be recognized in the expansion project materials unless designated anonymous.
*Heritage Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and gifts are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Tax ID # 54-1641580
Special Thanks To:
Expansion Gift Levels
Titanium Paw
Estate of Anne Cutler
Estate of Elsie Spangler
Diamond Paw
Emerald Paw
Peter & Keri Gore
Denise Koch
Platinum Paw
Randy & Shelby Hawthorne
Estate of Frances Hodges
Jim Mundy
Michelle & Steve Sieling, Owners of Aromas & The Hound’s Tale
Gold Paw
Chesapeake Bank
Martha McCartney
Noah’s Ark Animal Veterinary Hospital
Estate of Shawni Roth
Susan & Roger Schultz
Tracy Speelhoffer & Mike Fahey
Silver Paw
Dave & Anne Anderson
Kate & Jim Burke
Bruce Grissom & Robert Grossman
Robert & Margaret Hershberger
Dean Sculthorpe
Pearl Paw
Kenneth & Grace Arndt
Jess & Susan Behringer
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Timothy & Terri Cordle
Custom Builder Supply
Heather & Russ Harmon
In memory of Lud from Pam Johnson
Kimberly Laska
Pamela & Monty Mason
Michael Millam
Karen & Mike Riordan
HHS Expansion Launch Committee
Denise Koch | Co-Chair
Dean Sculthorpe | Co-Chair
Dave Anderson | Davenport LLC
Terry Banez | Greater Williamsburg Business Council
Ashlee Cederholm | Local Daily Media
Terry Deaver | ACE Peninsula Hardware
Leigh Houghland | Chesapeake Bank
Amy Kerr | Revel Concepts
Kevin Lembke | Busch Gardens Williamsburg
David Masterson | Sentara
Ron Miscavige | Long & Foster
Liz Moore | Liz Moore & Associates
Jim Mundy | Retired
Tom Spong | Eisenman & Associates
HHS Board of Directors
Heather Harmon, President
Dean Sculthorpe, Vice President
Carlyle Campbell, Treasurer
Sarah Melchior, Secretary
Edgar Torres, Member at Large
John Morgan, Auxiliary Liaison
Katharine W. Durante
Tucker K. Edmunds
Martha McCartney
Courtney Thompson
Have Questions?
Fill out our online interest form and we will contact you to discuss the project in more detail!
FAQ’s
What is the campaign goal?
The goal is to raise $1.8 million to begin construction. We have raised $1.6 million so far, but to get to our goal, we need your help!
Is my gift tax deductible?
Yes, Heritage Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and gifts are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Tax ID# 54-1641580
Are gifts of stocks accepted?
Yes, gifts of stock can often have substantial tax advantages for you. We encourage you to speak with your tax or financial advisors to best decide how you want to make your gift.
What is the timing of the campaign?
We are beginning site work very soon, and expect to be done in the fall of 2021. Gifts can be paid out over a year to three year period.
When is the money due?
Gifts can be paid out over a year to three year period.
Will there be naming opportunities?
Yes, we have a number of naming opportunities remaining for this project! Fill out the online interest form above so that our Executive Director, Kimberly Laska, can discuss them in more detail with you.
When do you anticipate the construction to be completed?
Based on our current timeline, we anticipate construction to be completed in Fall 2021. As a donor of the project, you will receive updates along the way about the progress we are making with the expansion.