Mayor Mitch Panciuk and Councillor Bill Sandison presented a $50,000 cheque this morning to the Quinte Humane Society’s Building Committee Members Hank Koudsi and Al Bunnett. The contribution is part of a $400,000 commitment from the City of Belleville. Along with this financial commitment, the City has also vowed to provide as much in-kind services as possible to realize a new home for QHS.

“There is simply no question that the Quinte Humane Society needs a new home and soon”, commented, Mayor Mitch Panciuk. “As a responsible and growing community, we must support and encourage those who care for our vulnerable companion animals in need. Belleville, in fact all of Hastings and Prince Edward County, are very fortunate to have such dedicated staff and volunteers providing the best care, adoption and education services under such dilapidated conditions”.

QHS has recently announced that, due to the urgency and lack of commitment from the Provincial and Federal governments, it has altered its plans. “The current facility is well past its useful life and we need to get the animals and people out of this building.” stated, Hank Koudsi, Volunteer Chair of the Building Committee. “The caring and progressive area of Hastings and Prince Edward Counties deserve an animal centre that meets their expectations as other communities have enjoyed. We must rally together and make the new Centre a victory and pride of the community.”

In order to expedite the project, QHS has broken the realization of the new Centre into three phases. Phase 1, and most pressing, is the building of the Animal Care and Adoption Centre and Mobile-Clinic – 12,000 sq ft with a $5 million budget, which will be followed by Phases 2 and 3 – a Community and Educational Centre and finally the on-site Animal Medical Clinic.

“Along with the support of all citizens and civic councils, we would welcome the participation of the Province of Ontario and the Federal Government, similar to what they have both provided for other animal shelters in the province” added Koudsi. “We certainly thank Mayor Panciuk, Mayor Harrison, Quinte West, Mayor O’Neill, Marmora and Lake as well as all Council Members for their ongoing encouragement, engagement and sharing in the anticipated success in this much needed community project.”

To lend your support, please contact J-C D’Amours, Campaign Manager at 613-862-1395,  jcdamours@quintehumanesociety.com or visit quintehumanesociety.com

We thank all those who have supported and will support a new Animal Care and Adoption Centre for Hastings and Prince Edward County.