Edmonton Humane Society undertaking major renovation to adoption gallery

The Edmonton Humane Society's adoption gallery is getting a $2.5-million facelift.

Starting on Monday, the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) will undertake a major renovation to its public adoption gallery.

The shelter will be fully open during construction and animals will still receive care and be adopted.

“Since opening in 2009, our adoption gallery has housed nearly 25,000 dogs and even more cats until they found their new families,” EHS CEO Liza Sunley said in a news release.

“Our shelter set a new standard at the time, and these improvements will ensure we continue to be at the leading edge of sheltering for both the animals we care for and the people who come to meet them.”

The renovation will add new dog life rooms, improved visitor spaces, and a dedicated kitten gallery.

EHS says the renovations are needed to address wear and tear and create better spaces for the animals.

Some areas of the gallery will be unavailable during the renovation, and EHS says there will be changes to how visitors move through the shelter and meet the animals.

“This renovation is a long-term investment in animal well-being, comfort and the visitor experience,” Sunley said.

“It’s made possible by the generous support of our community, and we are grateful to know we can count on them again as we bring these improvements to life.”

The renovation will cost $2.4 million, with $545,000 still needed.

EHS says it hopes to raise that money through donations.

The public can also help by adopting an animal to free up space, or temporarily fostering an animal to help maintain capacity while certain parts of the gallery are unavailable.

EHS will also be hosting a special adoption event from May 1 to 10 with reduced adoption fees.

The renovation is expected to be finished this fall.