New Webster animal shelter on schedule

Late April opening

Photos and text by Steev Riccardo

WEBSTER – The town of Webster is about a month away from the opening of its new animal shelter, something that the town has needed for some time.

Animal Control Officer Michelle LaFleche is “ecstatic” and said, “it’s a dream come true beyond words,” when asked about the opening of the new shelter, which was made possible from a donation by Marilyn Fels and the Fels Foundation.

“She asked what I needed and I gave her a list and she had it built. It’s a great gift for the town of Webster.”  The new building will replace a shelter that is one room and is “falling apart” and will double the number of animals they can care for, which is important since it is a ‘no-kill’ shelter.

Assistant Animal Control Officer Jose Herrera said that the new shelter is “something that the town has needed for a long time. These animals deserve a place where they can go, and some of them stay with us a long time.” 

Both Lafleche and Herrera describe the new conditions as “a lot more sanitary, more space, and much better set up to care for animals.”

Dick Kelly of Kelly & Kelly, who constructed the building, said, “Michelle talked to my sister (Marilyn Fels) and told her what she needed and my son and I put it together for her.”  It is a state-of-the-art building with plenty of space and adequate cages for the animals.

The shelter is still in need of a small refrigerator and a scale, and the staff is hoping that some citizens will come along and donate these items. There will also be a benefit at some point to help raise funds for supplies and maintenance of the shelter.

The new shelter is located just inside the entrance of the Webster Pumping station.

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