SEQUIM — Olympic Peninsula Humane Society is opening its new McKay Kitty City Campus next Saturday.
Tours of the 7,500-square-foot Kitty City at 91 S. Boyce St., in Sequim will be provided to the public from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 18.
Before the tours begin, a ribbon-cutting is planned at 10:30 a.m.
The $1.6 million facility houses cats, kittens, other small critters, veterinarian services and administrative offices. It now holds 42 cats and has the capacity to house 75, said Luanne Hinkle, executive director of Olympic Peninsula Humane Society (OPHS).
“We are very proud of the new facility and can’t wait to share it with the public,” Hinkle said.
“It has everything from huge custom catios, roaming rooms and condos, to a fully equipped surgery suite.
“The facility can take us into the future, providing even more services to the public such as a low-cost spay neuter program.”
A requirement of the conditional use permit issued by Clallam County when the property at 1743 Old Olympic Highway was purchased required removal of three mobile coaches that were used to house Kitty City, veterinarian services and administration, Hinkle said.
Building new on the Old Olympic Highway property proved too costly, she said.
The building in Sequim, which was formally a church with classrooms, “was the perfect fit for the displaced services,” Hinkle said.
“Conducting a capital campaign and remodeling during a pandemic with staff and supply shortages was certainly a challenge, but the outcome was worth the wait,” she said.
“The entire project from capital campaign to building purchase and remodel, including equipment acquisition, took a little over a year.
Cats remained at the Old Olympic Highway shelter until Kitty City was in place; now the Old Olympic Highway facility is for dogs only.
“We invite the public to come celebrate with us and have a chance to tour the entire facility, and even win a prize or two in a raffle,” said Michelle Gentry, Kitty City manager.
The building purchase and remodel was funded by a combination of capital campaign donations, bequests, and some equipment grants, allowing OPHS to remain debt-free, Hinkle said.
OPHS is a no-kill shelter that has served Port Angeles, Sequim and surrounding areas for 75 years. A private, nonprofit corporation, it is financed primarily by private donations and gifts and is not associated with any national organization, Hinkle said.
No animals are turned away. Annually more than 1,500 animals pass through the doors of the facility.
For more information, call 360-457-8206 or visit www.ophumanesociety.org.
