A new animal shelter will soon open its doors in Chanute.
Castaways Animal Shelter will host an opening celebration on Saturday, May 3, at 1 p.m. This new shelter is located at 21909 Harper Road. According to Castaways Board President Liz Wehlage, this shelter has been a dream of the nonprofit for over 20 years.
“It started with a group of individuals, led by Dr. Verdon Parham, each who, on their own, were helping forgotten and neglected animals. This group found one another and confirmed the need to address an unfulfilled opportunity in our community,” Wehlage said. “We arrived at the point where we are today due to countless individuals’ time and money, a steadfast board of directors, and the community support of such an endeavor.”
Wehlage said the project was done without incurring debt.
“It took time and patience, but we have arrived where we are through perseverance and unwavering dedication to the shared vision,” Wehlage said.
She said fundraising was the biggest challenge to overcome over the years. Wehlage said over $250,000 was raised to build the shelter.
“From 2004 to 2016, that really was the challenge at hand. But we know with most projects and goals, the big challenge is made of all the small challenges that lie therein,” Wehlage said.
“Once the main building was constructed, thousands of little projects that needed finished inside, which required more fundraising. There was a concrete issue that needed to be addressed and a pandemic really took some of the wind out of the sails of momentum.”
Wehlage said that with the shelter complete, the nonprofit has to shift its focus to the next set of challenges.
“Now the biggest challenge is making a nonprofit that is almost entirely reliant on private donations to form the bedrock of financial stability; a successfully run business that can perform the mission it was set out to do,” Wehlage said. “That means finding enough volunteers and affording to hire a director so that operations can run smoothly and the animals in our care are receiving the highest standard of care. The challenge is now increasing financial stability, having a diverse means of income from recurring donations, sponsorships, grants, fundraising activities, and eventually revenue from our boarding facility.”
The shelter will serve both people and animals in the community Wehlage said.
“One of the main, most obvious ways is connecting animals that need a home with a family or individual that is looking for a companion. The second would be providing a safe haven for animals that do not have a home for whatever reason.”
Wehlage said she hopes Castaways can also be a resource for responsible pet ownership through reviving its low-cost spay and neuter program soon. In the future, Wehlage said she’d also like to offer immunization clinics to the community.
“Controlling the pet population to begin with helps alleviate the number of unwanted pets and also reduce the overwhelming burden on animal shelters,” Wehlage said.
The grand opening brings forth numerous emotions for Wehlage, as a two-decade chapter comes to a close and a new one begins.
“My thoughts in particular are that of relief, happiness, accomplishment, pride and determination coupled with a reality-based dose of fear. We are ordinary people with many other obligations trying to do an extraordinary thing. The weight of that can feel scary and yet, I think a little fear is something we all need to keep us driven; moving in the direction we need,” Wehlage said. “I read a quote by Adam Grant and it reads ‘What holds many people back from taking initiative is not laziness. It’s fear. But in the long run, it’s better to fail than fail to try. Inaction feeds anxiety. Action builds momentum and fuels confidence.’ So here we are, taking action, and it is already building momentum and confidence. Castaways is taking form and flight in real time and it is exciting to witness and be a part of.”
The shelter will be able to hold up to 40 cats, and up to 24 dogs. Following the shelter opening, Castaways will be open in a limited fashion, and expand operations incrementally as funding allows.
Those interested in volunteering can do so online at www. castawayschanute.com or by sending an email inquiry to Liz Wehlage, [email protected].
This is the first part of a two-part series about the new Castaways Shelter. The next part of this series will be included in the May 6 edition of the Chanute Tribune.
