By Pepper Fisher

­­­PORT ANGELES — Thanks to a major bequest from a local family, displaced cats and other small critters will soon have a new home provided by the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society.

OPHS just announced the purchase of a 7,200 sq. ft. building off highway 101 near Sequim specifically for vet services and a brand-new Kitty City.

Executive Director Luanne Hinkle says the original idea was to build a separate structure for cats on their existing property along the Old Highway, but the cost for what they needed turned out to be prohibitive.

“And we were very fortunate that our veterinarian actually ran across this property over on Boyce that was for sale. And it really fit our purpose to a tee. Not only did it fit our purposes very well and nicely, but we were able to acquire the property for far less than what it would have cost us to build.”

The property at 91 Boyce Road, which was once the headquarters of a Frisbee golf club and later a church, sits 3 acres and was paid for in cash thanks to a generous bequest from the McKay family.

Hinkle says permit applications are in, but they have a long way to go in terms of fundraising and hard work to get the facility ready for an open house.

“We’ve been very fortunate because we are in an animal-loving community, and we really do need their support going forward. As everyone knows, we cancelled our large fundraising last year and we have to cancel it again this year. And those two fundraisers bring in 400 to 450 thousand dollars for us. So we’ve, you know, had to do things to make sure that we are financially solvent, which we are, and we want to be here for many, many years to come. We’ve already been here almost 75, so I’m voting for 75 more.”

OPHS is holding a Renovation Campaign to help fund the $350,000 goal to cover renovations and needed equipment. The community can help fund specific items needed or make general donations here: ophumanesociety.org/New-Sequim-Building.

(Google maps view of newly acquired building)