Correction: The original version of this article contained incorrect information about how the Longmont Humane Society funded the renovation. That information has now been corrected.
Sue Peterson and her 12-year-old blind basset hound Baxter marveled at the amount of people and pets in the newly-reopened Well Pet Clinic at the Longmont Humane Society on Wednesday afternoon.
The Longmont Humane Society announced earlier this month that crews had finished renovating and expanding the clinic in order to accommodate more people bringing in their pets for services such as exams, spaying and microchipping.
More than 7,500 pets in the Longmont community were treated at the clinic in 2016, according to a news release. On Wednesday, people filled the waiting room as staff reopened after the lunch break. A dachshund puppy wagged his tail under his owner’s chair, a black labrador mix happily gobbled down free treats and a cat in a carrier looked out with wide eyes at the whole scene.
The clinic expansion includes a new, 349-square-foot lobby and a new, 114-square-foot exam room.
Carrie Brackenridge, marketing and communication manager for the Longmont Humane Society, said that anecdotally there have been more and more people coming in to get their pets checked out.
“We’ve had a pretty high demand for our services from the community and with the renovation, we can accommodate more people from the community and the space flows much better and more efficiently for our staff,” Brackenridge said.
Kelli Kanemoto, Longmont Humane Society director of development, said in an email that the renovation cost a total of $140,000. The Longmont Humane Society covered 55 percent of that cost through private donations while grants covered 25 percent and corporate support covered the other 20 percent, Kanemoto wrote. Sun Construction and The Walmart Foundation contributed to the project.
Peterson brings Baxter, who is diabetic, to the clinic regularly so veterinarians can check his glucose levels. Peterson said she was impressed with the renovation and expanded waiting area.
“Oh, I think it’s wonderful. It used to be so crowded we would sit out in the hallway,” Peterson said as Baxter plopped down to the ground with a grunt. “And we need some space because the dogs are not supposed to meet because you never know why a dog is in here or if they have something quite contagious. This looks way more professional — there used to be stuff piled up behind the (reception) desk.”
The Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting at the renovated clinic at 4 p.m. Thursday.
Karen Antonacci: 303-684-5226, antonaccik@times-call.com or twitter.com/ktonacci
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