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The organization is working with the township board of trustees to open a 27,000 square-foot building, proposed on Washington Church Road, north of Lyons Road and overlooking Interstate 675. Trustees approved the plans for the new facility last year, after the adoption center raised nearly 50 percent of the $5 million needed for the development.
Township Development Director Ryan Lee said the board of trustees has approved the final development plan for the proposed location and SICSA. Township trustees approved the preliminary plans last year.
“We are excited to see this property developed and to welcome SICSA to the Washington Township community,” Lee said.
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The facility will house a total of 73 kennels and space for about 100 cats and would be soundproof to protect both the animals and nearby residents.
The agency’s current location, 2600 Wilmington Pike in Kettering, is expected to remain open, according to agency officials, who added that September is the target for the groundbreaking of the new Washington Twp. location.
Nora Vondrell, executive director of SICSA, said the organization currently has 700-800 volunteers. With the addition of the new center, she said “significantly more volunteers will be needed to support both sites.”
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SICSA is a “no kill” facility. In 2016, the center had 1,654 adoptions and just more than 26,000 volunteer hours, according to its website.
According to Vondrell, in Montgomery County, 48 percent of all stray animals are euthanized. About six years ago, the rate was around 65 percent.
SICSA also helps reduce the number of euthanized animals by taking some in from the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center.
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Here are five things to know about the SICSA adoption center:
1. SICSA stands for The Society for the Improvement of Conditions for Stray Animals. The adoption and animal shelter has rescued and adopted more than 7,500 animals through the years.
2. The shelter has been part of the Miami Valley for 43 years, beginning in 1974.
3. SICSA is a “no kill” facility.
4. In 2016, the center had 1,654 adoptions and just more than 26,000 volunteer hours, according to its website.
5. The location for the proposed new 20,000-square-foot building is on Washington Church Road, north of Lyons Road overlooking Interstate 675.
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