Published: February 29, 2008 11:33 pm            

Humane societies announce projects

Humane societies in Cambria and Somerset counties have projects planned for their shelters when winter comes to a close.

A grooming station for dogs and cats will be set up at the Humane Society of Cambria County’s shelter on Airport Road in Richland Township.

The concrete floors in the two dog kennel rooms in the original section of the Humane Society of Somerset County’s shelter on Whitetail Road in Somerset Township will be replaced.

D Black, director of the Cambria shelter, said Juliann Eperjessy has given the society a “generous donation,” which Black expects will cover the costs of installing and furnishing the grooming station.

While Black does not know the total cost to set up the station, she believes the donation will cover the entire project.

Eperjessy said she preferred not to make public the amount of her donation, which she said she made in honor of her late husband, Dr. Ernest Z. Eperjessy, who died in 1996.

Eperjessy, who lives in suburban Johnstown, is a volunteer who walks dogs at the shelter.

She also has a pet rabbit.

Black said the donation was made without being earmarked for any specific need. Black decided to use it for a grooming station.

“I think that’s very worthwhile for the shelter,” Eperjessy said.

“A grooming room always has been one of my goals for the shelter,” Black said.

Eperjessy said she enjoys walking and playing with the shelter’s dogs.

“I don’t know who gets the most out of it, me or the critters,” she laughed.

Black’s plans for the grooming station include a tub with a lift mechanism for large dogs, a vacuum system, dryers, shears and clippers.

She’s hoping the work starts in the spring.

“It shouldn’t take long to get it operating,” she said.

Sally Urban, president of the Humane Society of Somerset County, said the concrete in the floors of the indoor dog kennels, built in 1980, needs replaced because of erosion due to constant scrubbing.

There are 24 indoor dog kennels, with each providing space for one dog in the shelter’s original housing area.

The concrete work, estimated to cost about $9,000, will be done by Lew Fleegle of Mountain Concrete, Stoystown, Urban said.

The chain-link doors to each kennel also need to be replaced and will be done as a separate project. Urban said the society has not received any estimates for the doors project.

Each kennel is about 4 feet wide, she said.

Urban said upcoming fundraisers by the Somerset society will be earmarked for the kennels project. Donations also can be mailed to the Humane Society of Somerset County, Box 182, Somerset, Pa. 15501.

Urban anticipates the project to get under way by early summer.

        

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