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Humane Society Gets Major Challenge Grant

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The sign foretelling a new home for the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan in Royalton Township could stand a little taller in the days ahead thanks to a new Challenge Grant offered up by the Frederick S. Upton Foundation today. When the challenge is met, the capital campaign to erect a new animal shelter along M-139 south of St. Joseph has the potential to be $300,000 closer to fruition.

The Berrien County-based Frederick S. Upton Foundation has issued today at $150,000 Challenge Grant to support construction of the new $2-million shelter. Essentially, the foundation has pledged to match all donations to the Capital Building Fund dollar-for-dollar this year up to $75,000…and they will do the same thing again in calendar year 2017. So…when this year's $75,000 grant is matched with local donations it becomes $150,000 for 2016 with the same projected result for 2017 and that would add up to $300,000 more toward the construction of the new shelter.

The Humane Society of SW Michigan operates the only no-kill shelter in all of Berrien County, currently located at 641 South Crystal Avenue in Benton Harbor. The current shelter, built in 1963, is undersized, outdated, inefficient and in need of costly repairs. At full capacity, the shelter is home to only about 60 dogs and 100 cats. A new shelter is vital to the organization's mission to provide a safe haven for homeless dogs and cats in Michigan's Great Southwest. 
 
Land for the new shelter has been purchased on M-139, north of John Beers Road in Royalton Township. Construction plans include a new medical area, administration, training and education sections, and separate wings for the dogs and cats. The new shelter will significantly increase the number of animals rescued, preventing them from ending up in high kill facilities.
 
The total cost for the new shelter is $2 million, and the Humane Society has already raised more than $900,000 toward that goal. The Frederick S. Upton Foundation’s challenge grant will bring them $300,000 closer to realizing the dream for a modern, efficient and safe home for the homeless cats and dogs in its care.
 
Anyone interested in learning more about the shelter plans or donating to the Capital Building Fund can visit their website by clicking this link: http://www.humanesocietyswm.org Once there, simply click the “Capital Campaign” tab in the upper menu. Donations can be made by PayPal or credit card through the website, by calling the shelter at 269-927-3303, or by mailing payment to 641 Crystal Avenue, Benton Harbor, MI 49022. The organization also accepts donations through the Berrien Community Foundation.

The Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan was formed in 1934. Its mission is to provide food, shelter and medical care for the homeless, abused and unwanted cats and dogs in southwest Michigan. Its secondary goals include finding forever homes for the animals in its care, and educating the public concerning responsible pet ownership.  

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