Second Chance Animal Adoption warmed up a cold November day by breaking ground for a shelter that will house Boundary County’s homeless animals.

Without a generous contribution from the estate of animal lover Mary Ellen Thomason, the project would’ve never happened.

“Her donation is what’s paying for most of this project today,” Second Chance Executive Director Rhonda Hamerslough said during Saturday’s groundbreaking.

The non-profit agency in September purchased the thrift store it rents at 6647 Lincoln St. along with an acre to build what will be the county’s first animal shelter. Second Chance will continue operating the thrift store and build a shelter on the same property.

Dog kennels will be built first followed by administrative offices and cat housing that will include a community cat room that can be viewed by the public. The third phase will include building a multi-purpose room for dog training and educational classes, meetings, and a get-acquainted room.

The dog kennels will house nine adoptable dogs, have three kennels for isolation and three for quarantine.

The cat area will have house 20 to 25 adoptable cats, five condos for isolation and five condos for quarantine.

Outside  areas for the dogs will be available for exercise and play.

Numerous hours have gone into planning the layout, discussing staffing and operational costs, speaking with individuals from other shelters, visiting other shelters and consulting with experts.

“As most of you know, it’s been a long journey for a lot people,” Hamerslough said during Saturday’s ceremony. “There’s been a lot of ups and downs. We’re absolutely thrilled that the dreams of everybody have become a realty.”

The first phase is expected to cost $150,000, and funds will need raised to build the second phase, Hamerslough said. Weather permitting, the dog kennels could be ready by summer.

Contractors for the project will include TCL Concrete, Riverside Plumbing, Boundary Electric and PFC Construction. Steve Schumacher is the project manager.

To make a monetary donation for the shelter or to view the floor plans for the first phase, stop at the Second Chance Thrift Store or reach Hamerslough at 946-9076 or by e-mail at [email protected].