Dogs, Cats Being Adopted For Free As Shelter Moves Into New Space

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It's no secret that the animal shelter in Harford County was obsolete and in need of replacement.

Now, as Mike Schuh reports, a new $7 million building is almost ready to go, but they don't want to move everything over to the new space.

The 100-year-old farm house on Connolly Road has seen better days.

"It's hard to keep disease and germs out when we're cleaning. The upstairs of this building was condemned several years ago by an engineer," said Erin Long.

Yet it has soldiered on as the place in Harford County where dogs and cats can find a new home.

But the place where Long works was never designed as a shelter and doesn't work very well anymore as a shelter.

So, right next door, a $7.5 million, state-of-the-art custom designed shelter was built. It opens on Monday.

"This is, this is a dream come true," Long said.

Long's "pinch me" moment happens when she breathes deep--everything smells new--cages, walls, floors--everything.

Now, as final touches are completed, not everything is being packed up.

"Since we're moving into our new home, we want them to move into their permanent home," said Long.

So dogs and cats are being adopted for free.

"So the idea is that we clear the shelter, we empty it out and we have less animals to move, they're not stressed and we start fresh," Long said.

By waiving the $150 fee, over 25 dogs and cats have already found new homes.

You can get the free animals until Friday at 6 p.m.

The Humane Society of Harford County says it's about halfway to funding what it owes. It's also planning fundraisers to get the remaining $75,000.

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