Fetch those dollars for KHS

Rick Rasmussen, who is leading the capital campaign for the Kootenai Humane Society's new shelter, points to where flooring has been peeled away from years of use by the operating rooms of the old facility. KHS is ramping up fundraising efforts for the new shelter as it is running out of space and time.

Volunteer Alda Smith walks shelter dog Tank on the grounds of Kootenai Humane Society on Oct. 29. KHS is in need of just less than $1 million in donations to begin building its new 24,000-square-foot facility on Atlas Road to accommodate the growing population and needs of lost, abused, injured and neglected animals in Kootenai County.

Kootenai Humane Society's 41-year-old shelter is showing signs of major wear and tear in the form of breaks in the floor and rusty holes in doors. The capital campaign to raise $6.5 million is about 72% fulfilled, but needs to hit 90% for construction to begin. A dog kennel section is seen here Oct. 29.

This sign hangs in the lobby of the Kootenai Humane Society animal shelter in Hayden. The nonprofit needs community members to rally and raise just less than $1 million so construction on a new shelter can begin.

The rusted-out bottom of a door leading into a dog kennel area at the Kootenai Humane Society is just one sign that the nonprofit is well past due for a new home. Visit www.kootenaihumane.org/khs-capital-campaign to learn how to help.

These outdoor chain-link kennels at Kootenai Humane Society are the only area where dogs can be kept as the indoor kennels are cleaned, even when it's freezing outside. A new shelter would provide twice the capacity and give more room to house and care for abused, abandoned and injured animals waiting for their forever homes.