Despite the challenge of fundraising during the economic downturn of the past three years, the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe is only $1 million away from raising the $5 million needed to build a new animal shelter.

To date, the animal rescue group has raised $4.2 million, which includes $2.5 million from the Town of Truckee, and HSTT has launched the “Heroes Now & Forever” campaign for the final stage of fundraising.

The goal of the “Heroes Now & Forever” campaign is to get 1,000 people to donate $1,000. The donation can be made in one full payment, two $500 payments, or four $250 payments. To honor the 1,000 Heroes donors, a recognition piece will be installed in the main lobby of the new shelter, and donors will be invited to a private VIP facility tour and party prior to the grand opening.

The current kennel in Truckee. Photo/Provided

HSTT is in desperate need of a new shelter. The current 1,000-square-foot facility was built in 1998 as a temporary holding kennel for abandoned, seized, and rescued dogs and cats. Through a partnership with the Town of Truckee, HSTT houses a limited number of animals at the shelter, and many more dogs and cats are in volunteer foster homes.

The current kennel accommodates eight dogs and 30 cats, although at times, there are upwards of 30 dogs and 80 cats in need of shelter. Such limited space can terrify animals, often causing aggression and fights among dogs and stress-induced illness in cats, Jensen said. The kennel also lacks adequate space to quarantine sick or injured animals, and because of its location in the Town Corporation Yard, it is only open to the public two hours per week for adoptions.

The new shelter was designed to accommodate current and future needs by an architect who specializes in shelters and veterinary hospitals. The facility will include real-life rooms for dogs and large, colony-style cat rooms, with perches, windows to the outside, and natural sunlight.

The building will include an education and training center, allowing HSTT to expand its humane education, dog training and pet assisted therapy programs. Open daily to the public, the new shelter will provide a convenient location for people to meet and adopt their future pets.

HSTT has partnered with Truckee to share the cost of construction and operation of a new shelter. Approximately 1.5 acres of land have been secured at no cost to HSTT. However, in order to maintain the agreement with the town, HSTT must raise its portion of the funds before starting construction.

The HSTT directors believe the Heroes campaign will reach their $1 million goal by the November 2012 deadline.

Anyone interested in joining the Heroes campaign is encouraged to call (530) 587.5948.