Lakeshore PAWS has announced its next big step in bringing themselves closer to the community by announcing their newest location of their main building in Valparaiso.
Located on 4611 Evans street, this large blue building will be the future home to dozens of dogs seeking forever homes and plenty of space to help and assist dogs from the community.
"We have our own building now with room for dogs to run and play," says Lakeshore PAWS Owner and Century 21 Owner/Broker Jeanne Sommers. "Within the building there's almost 2 acres of fenced in area for the dogs."
The possibility for this new location was made possible through the generous actions of two individuals, Jacki Stutzman and Mark Forszt, who through their generous efforts have allowed Lakeshore PAWS to change to this newer location.
Stuztman was responsible for making a down payment of $150,000 in order to get the building while Forszt of Harley-Davidson of Valparaiso and Wheels Unlimited is helping to make some changes needed for the building.
"I'm just so thankful for both of them," says Sommers. "This isn't the first time they have helped us, they've done so much for us in the past and there would be no way this could have been done without them."
Lakeshore PAWS board member Molly Judd also played an integral role during the process of obtaining the new building with much of the important paperwork and financial details being handled by her.
"As the bookkeeper taking care of the funds, paperwork and loan approval process, I am feeling very optimistic for the future of Lakeshore PAWS," says Judd. "This new building increases the ability to save many more animals in the community."
The newer building features specific rooms set aside for play areas for both small and large dogs, veterinary area to aid sick dogs and a large enclosed area for kennels.
'We're set to adopt 600 dogs this year with a combination of facility and foster dogs with a number around 50," said Sommers. "While we're set to stay around these numbers due to our current number of volunteers, this building is designed for future expansion for a large number of dogs."
The newest home for Lakeshore PAWS stands as a milestone for the organization as they continue to serve their community by continuing their mission of helping dogs in need, matching them with loving families waiting to take them in.
"We've been doing this since April 2011," says Sommers. "Now thanks to our volunteers, we have the ability to continue our mission."