Thanks to the generosity of the Lowe’s Hometowns grant program, Animal Harbor has recently undergone significant renovations that were long overdue.
On Volunteer Day, held on Sept. 18, over 20 Lowe’s managers and employees volunteered their time to assist with the remodeling efforts at the shelter.
Tim James, the store manager of Lowe’s in Tullahoma, highlighted the Hometowns program's commitment to supporting organizations like Animal Harbor through substantial funding and dedicated volunteer work.
Grant Funding and Renovation Details
Animal Harbor was chosen as one of the 1,800 projects to receive funding from the program, with around 100 of those projects receiving substantial grants as signature projects.
James revealed that Animal Harbor was awarded a $71,000 grant from Lowe’s, which was utilized to enhance the facility. Additionally, Lowe’s employees volunteered over one or two days to help with the renovation process.
This year, Lowe’s has allocated $10 million to organizations nationwide as part of a larger $100 million program set to continue until 2026.
Renovation Highlights
During Volunteer Day, managers and employees painted the new entrance, office area, and back rooms at the shelter. They also installed reinforcement walls in the cat rooms and assembled themed cat trees to create a more welcoming environment.
Animal Harbor's Executive Director, Emily Holland, played an active role in the renovation project, leveraging her expertise in animal science to contribute to the improvements.
Community Involvement and Future Plans
Holland urged the community to support Animal Harbor by adopting pets and promoting responsible pet ownership. She stressed the importance of responsible pet care to address the rising number of animals in need of loving homes.
Animal Harbor's primary mission is to take in animals before they end up in Animal Control and prevent overpopulation issues by spaying and neutering animals in their care.
The grant funds were used to purchase commercial washers and dryers, create a community-enrichment and quiet room, and remodel the cat rooms. Paint for the project was generously donated by Valspar and Sherwin Williams.
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