Expanding Our Pawprint
Capital Campaign

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Phase 1 Complete

The Cedar Valley Humane Society is dedicated to building healthy relationships between people and animals, and eliminating cruelty, abuse and overpopulation of animals through education, adoption services and inspiring compassion for all living things.

THE OPPORTUNITY

At least 20,000 families annually will utilize the Cedar Valley Humane Society's programs and services by adopting new family members, reuniting with their lost pets, and bringing their children to learn about the humane treatment of their pets. Become a part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

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Give a legacy gift to the Cedar Valley Humane Society to have your name permanently displayed at our shelter.

Permanent Naming Opportunities

LEARN MORE

THE JOURNEY

The Cedar Valley Humane Society (CVHS) was established in 1901 as the Humane Society of the City of Cedar Rapids. The original shelter was located on Griffith Farm, and early cases involved cruelty and abuse of women, children, the elderly, horses, cattle, dogs, and cats. Investigations involving women, children, and the elderly were eventually dropped from society’s list of objectives, and in 1921, the organization changed its name to the Linn County Humane Society.

By 1923, the need for a permanent shelter became apparent, and a fundraising campaign began. In 1928, a property was purchased at 700 C Avenue NE for $3,000. This served as headquarters for the society until 1968, when the organization built its current facility at 7411 Mt. Vernon Rd SE.

In 1991, the organization changed its name again, this time to the Cedar Valley Humane Society. In 1997, the existing building was remodeled, and an additional wing was added to create room for the adult cat adoption room, new reception area, office area, grooming, and laundry rooms. In 1998, the new kennels for adoptable dogs were completed. The CVHS operates debt-free and owns its building and land.

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The CVHS currently provides animal services to over 69,692* residents in the unincorporated areas of Linn and Benton counties as well as North Liberty, Swisher, Tiffin, Shueyville, Oxford, Walford, Solon, Atkins, Shellsburg, Urbana, Van Horne, Walker, Bertram Township, Prairieburg, Alburnett, Central City, Coggon, Ely, Fairfax, Hiawatha, Lisbon, Mt Vernon, Palo, Robins, Springville, Center Point, and Vinton. In 2020 alone, the CVHS helped 4,645 animals in our local community. The current 7,000 SF building facility is not adequate for the number of animals that are continuing to need help in Eastern Iowa.

The CVHS’ model of sheltering is successful, but the shelter is limited by its current facility, as the facility is largely unchanged from when it was constructed in 1968. As services have evolved, the facility requires updates in order to continue to sustain those services. The CVHS is not affiliated with any other shelter or national organization. It operates with a dedicated staff of 15 and is overseen by a 14-person Board of Directors. More than 300 individual volunteers put in over 4,000 hours annually assisting with everything from events to education to direct animal care.

THE NEED

Animals are housed in small rooms lacking proper air flow, resulting in an increase in disease spreading.
Small lobby, able to only accommodate around 10 people at a time. Admissions, adoptions and retail all happening at the same front desk.
Old pipes in building provide insufficient water pressure to properly clean kennels effectively, multiple leaks, and freezing pipes in winter.
Endless laundry and hundreds of dishes are cleaned daily in small room, holding a standard washer, dryer, and small utility sink.
Windows are not insulated, cold drafts increase animals susceptibility to diseases.

The 7,000 sq. ft. facility is not large enough to house the amount of animals needing care in our community, much less provide adequate storage for supplies.
Electrical is in need of complete replacement, old wiring is a hazard and causes lack of power sources.
Concrete flooring in dog housing rooms absorb moisture, grow bacteria and hold potential disease spores. Unsealed flooring is impossible to thoroughly disinfect, increasing spread of disease.
Lack of meeting and event space. current educational tours and staff meeting allow only 10 students/staff at a time, crammed into small lobby. Public events have to be held off site.

Deteriorated Pipes

Dog Adoption

Water Pressure

Public Lobby Flooring

Stray Cat Room

THE VISION

Renovate and expand the current shelter to provide the care that our communities pets all deserve.

After decades of working as hard as we can with what limited resources we have had, stretching every penny as far as it can go, it is time to make a change to grow. Our pets, staff and community deserve nothing but the best that we can offer.

- Lonnie Viner, Executive Director

Triple shelter size to an 18,000 sq. ft. facility able to accommodate community pet needs.
Update HVAC systems to include separate systems for isolation and adoption areas.
Increase natural light throughout shelter to enhance mood and reduce stress of shelter pets.
Create an inviting lobby area with adequate seating.
Utilize materials that reduce sound amplification to reduce stress for shelter pets.
Separate entrances for adoption and admission departments.
Increase animal kennel capacity to ensure safety of all pets.

Update flooring to be uniform and sealed for safety and disease control
Create quarantine areas to care for animals with contagious diseases while preventing the spread to other heathy pets.
Update all plumbing and electrical for energy efficient usage.
Outdoor "Catios" for access to fresh air.
Multiple play yards for dogs to play in.
Indoor meet and greet rooms for potential adopters to spend time with a pet.
Education, Event, and Training Center with separate entrance, for public classes, birthday parties, meetings and other events.