SAVE To Break Ground on New Animal Shelter on Friday

SAVE, A Friend to Homeless Animals, will break ground for its new shelter facility on Friday, Nov. 15, at 3 p.m. at the Van Zandt property in Blawenburg, located at 1010 County Road Route 601, near Montgomery High School.

“We are very proud of this project for it will greatly enhance SAVE’s reputation throughout the region and the adoption experience for animals and visitors," SAVE Board President Roberta Ellsworth said. "We are most grateful for the ongoing support of the community and welcome the public to attend this special ceremony”

SAVE’s current shelter, at 900 Herrontown Road in Princeton, is in rough shape after 40 years of constant use and an inadequate size to properly serve the area.

SAVE officials also say the shelter facility  is not as conducive as it should be to minimizing the stress of homelessness or abandonment. Cats and dogs are deeply emotional animals and therefore are highly susceptible to changes in personality under stress. SAVE’s goal of happy endings, both for adopted pets and their new families, depends on providing the best possible environment for sensitive cats and dogs while they wait for a “forever home”.  

The new site is located on 12 secluded acres.

Built in the 1850’s, the historic James Van Zandt House was donated to SAVE by a couple several years ago. The couple's vision was an aesthetically positive (both for animals and people) and a completely functional facility of which this area could be proud.  

Over the next ten months, a 10,000 square foot modern shelter will be built adjacent to the Van Zandt House, which has been renovated to serve as SAVE's administrative building  by Max Hayden Architect. There will be ample parking and landscaped grounds. 

According to SAVE officials, the new facility will allow the nonprofit to:

• achieve consistent growth and excellence  
• Shelter up to 75 cats and 25 dogs in dignity and comfort
• Give dogs and cats the best “temporary home” while they await adoption
• Offer animal health and welfare services on a much larger scale
• Provide attractive, quiet bonding rooms for families to become acquainted with shelter pets
• Dedicate areas for dog training areas and orientation classes for staff, volunteers and the public 
• Give volunteers the opportunity to walk dogs in a safe and peaceful setting
• Expand SAVE’s programs and services to Montgomery Township