Humane Society for Greater Lafayette set to open after Labor Day weekend

LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Tippecanoe County will see a new animal shelter open to the public after the Labor Day weekend. The Humane Society for Greater Lafayette will open Tuesday, just over a year after the groundbreaking ceremony.

The 17,000-square-foot Humane Society, 3150 Sagamore Parkway in Lafayette, will have the capacity to hold 68 dogs and more than 160 cats. Another room is set aside for other small animals. The building itself was funded by Tippecanoe County in partnership with the cities of Lafayette and West Lafayette. The Humane Society will lease the building from the three entities.

"This community has needed an upgrade in animal welfare for quite some time. It's nice to have the cutting-edge products, space and forethought," said Josh Klumpe, executive director of the Humane Society for Greater Lafayette.

The shelter aims to get public assistance programs up and running soon after opening. "I was in animal welfare, out on the streets, for 17 years," Klumpe said. "The need is beyond these walls."

The programs will focus on pet retention, a proactive strategy to help educate people on how to properly care for their animal's wellbeing so they don't end up in shelters.

On opening day, the Humane Society for Greater Lafayette expects to have about 25 dogs, as well as other pets, available to be adopted. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

A volunteer open house is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 14.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Humane Society for Greater Lafayette set to open after Labor Day weekend