PAWS AND THINK ABOUT IT. One of the critters in the care of the Eau Claire County Humane Association.

Since last June, the Eau Claire County Humane Association has been hard at work fundraising for a new, state-of-the-art facility, which will enhance the quality of care for the 1,500 to 2,000 animals seen each year. Thanks to private phase donors and the capital campaign leadership, the association’s effort is more than a year ahead of schedule. This spring, they are inviting the community to participate in the public phase of the campaign and be the voice for animals. 

The “Be the Voice” capital campaign was scheduled to officially kick off on Wednesday, May 18, with an event at The Brewing Projekt in Eau Claire. 

HHIS NAME IS OTTO, AND HE'S A GOOD DOGGY. Dogs, cats, and other critters in the care of the Eau Claire County Humane Association could have a new home in the near future. The organization is launching the public phase of a fundraising campaign to build a new, state-of-the art shelter facility.

“A new building with the right materials and best practices on the forefront will create an environment that will lead to happier, more adoptable animals,” said Addie Erdmann, the group’s marketing and development director. “We believe that our new shelter will strengthen our relationships with the animals, staff, volunteers, adopting families, and our community.”

The human association plans to build a new facility next to its current home, 3900 Old Town Hall Road, so ECCHA can still operate during construction. The current building is more than 25 years old, and the association said it is beginning to show its age. The new facility will be twice as large and will have many new features including improved internal traffic flow, larger living quarters for animals, an onsite veterinary treatment unit, and space for sick or injured animals. 

The facility will cost an estimated $6.5 million, about $5.6 million of which has already been raised.

The Eau Claire County Humane Association was founded in 1968, and is the only open-admission shelter in the community. It has 14 staff members and more than 400 active volunteers. 

Interested in helping the Eau Claire County Humane Association’s fundraising effort? Learn more about the project and how you can donate by visiting ecchabethevoice.org and eccha.org.

NEEDED: NEW DIGS FOR DOGS. The Eau Claire County Humane Association building is showing its age, and the group is launching a fundraiser to replace it.