Helen Woodward Animal Center Celebrates the Much Anticipated Opening of New Pet Adoptions Building…
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (July 1, 2019) – Helen Woodward Animal Center is excited to announce the upcoming opening of its brand new pet Adoptions Building. During construction, Center adoptions workers have continued to provide life-saving care and secure forever homes for thousands of orphan animals despite the confines of a temporary “adoptions village.” Now, just over a year and half after breaking ground, Center staff has much to celebrate. The media is invited to three exciting opportunities to peek “behind the scenes” at this state-of-the-art upgrade to the Center’s pet Adoptions Department. Helen Woodward Animal Center’s new Adoptions Building can be viewed Friday, July 12 between 9 and 11 a.m. (Exclusive Media Event!), Sunday, July 14 from 3 to 5 p.m. (VIP Ribbon Cutting Ceremony), and on Wednesday, July 17 at 12 p.m. when the Adoptions Center opens to the public!
In January 2018, Helen Woodward Animal Center announced the official groundbreaking for a brand new pet Adoptions Building, a monumental event in the organization’s history. The exciting undertaking marked the second phase in the Campaign for Caring – a multi-year mission to rebuild Helen Woodward Animal Center’s aging facilities, many of which have been in place since the organization’s founding in 1972. Now, the gorgeous new facility is nearly ready to welcome the thousands of adoptable pets yearly who will call the Center its temporary home on their road to adoption.
The construction of Helen Woodward Animal Center’s new pet Adoptions Building symbolizes the fulfillment of years of hopes and expectations for the Center’s further advancement. The project is particularly important due to the incredible growth and impressive increase in the number of animals served today versus when the Center first opened. In 1972, 300 animals came through the Center doors each year. Today approximately 3,500 orphan pets receive life-saving medical care and placement in forever homes annually, despite Adoptions staff working in the same medical and adoptions facilities since the Center opened. Additionally, the Center now accepts 95% of its orphan pets from animal shelters around the country, all requiring physical and behavioral exams upon entry, as well as vaccinations and spay/neuter surgeries.
The new pet Adoptions Building offers many exciting upgrades including a private entrance and evaluation area for transfer partners bringing in adoptable animals; a new treatment room; a second exam room; new recovery and ICU areas and a larger surgical suite with room for two surgery tables that can be utilized simultaneously. Other improvements include kennels that can be completely enclosed to protect orphan pets from the weather while allowing easy cleaning and access by the staff, three large turfed play yards with shade gazebos and a lobby and pet adoptions area that is more aesthetically pleasing to encourage potential adopters to visit more often and stay longer to increase adoptions.
“This is truly a dream come true,” stated Helen Woodward Animal Center VP of Development Renee Resko. “The new building and its many advances match our vision for the type of care we would like our orphan dogs and cats to receive. The new facility will help us provide faster turnarounds for medical care so that our adoptable pets can more quickly start their searches for forever homes. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped make this happen. We are especially thankful for the continued generosity and leadership of Helen’s family, particularly Bryce Rhodes, Win Rhodes, and Marcia Constance.”
Please join us at one of the following events to get a sneak peek behind-the-scenes!
EXCLUSIVE MEDIA EVENT:
Friday, July 12th, 9:00AM – 11:00AM
(6461 El Apajo Road, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067)
The media is invited for breakfast and to capture exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of Helen Woodward Animal Center’s brand new, state-of-the-art adoptions facility. This unencumbered “backstage” glimpse will be almost impossible to view, once the building is humming with orphan dogs and cats, transfer partners, veterinarians, adoptions staff, and potential adopters!
COME SEE:
- Kitten Nursery
- New State-of-the-Art Surgery Suites
- Bright New Weather-Safe Kennels
- High Tech Cleaning Equipment to keep pets healthy
- Beautiful New Play Yards
- Gorgeous New Lobby (with paw print tiles!)
- Donor Stones and Plaques
- Comfortable Pet Meet-and-Greet Rooms
- Fabulous New Pet Store
VIP RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY:
Sunday, July 14th, 3:00PM – 5:00PM
(6461 El Apajo Road, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067)
The media is invited to our official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony! Meet the incredible Helen Woodward Animal Center leaders and board members, along with donors and supporters who made this building a reality!
CEREMONY: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Actual ceremony begins @ approximately 3:30 PM, Tours begin at 4:00 PM)
SPEAKERS OF NOTE: Mike Arms (Helen Woodward Animal Center President & CEO)
HELEN WOODWARD ANIMAL CENTER OPENS TO THE PUBLIC:
Wednesday, July 17th, 12:00 Noon
(6461 El Apajo Road, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067)
The media is invited to see our orphan dogs and cats in their brand new building! The public will get its first opportunity to search for their forever friend in the new state-of-art facility. A truly joyful day for people and pets!
COME SEE:
- Potential adopters seeking a pet in the new kennels
- Potential adopters playing with orphan pups in the new play yards
- Potential adopters waiting to fill out applications in the new lobby
- New adopters purchasing collars and leashes in the new pet store
- Happy dogs and cats going home with their new forever families
MEDIA PLEASE RSVP:
MEDIA CONTACTS:
PR & Communications Director Jessica Gercke JessicaG@animalcenter.org
Communications Manager Fernanda Lopez FernandaL@animalcenter.org