CHISHOLM—A local animal shelter is in desperate need of a new heating unit for its building, and is conducting a fundraiser to help offset the cost.
Precious Paws Humane Society is a nonprofit organization that is located at 101 Southwest First Avenue in Chisholm. The shelter relies on donations along with any grants it is able to secure to fund improvements to its building.
A burger bash is taking place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, at Jim’s Sports Club in downtown Chisholm. Proceeds go toward the heating project.
Meal includes hamburger or cheeseburger, coleslaw, pickles and chips for $12 per person. Dine-in and takeout options are available. There is also delivery for orders of $40 or more.
The event includes a silent auction and raffles. Donations of gift baskets and raffle items, including gift cards are being accepted.
Shelter Manager Carrie Nelson said for the past two years the shelter has been plagued with issues, including moisture and mold on the south wall of its main cat room. Crews from a local heating contractor recently identified the source of the problem, which turned out to be the foundation crumbling under the wall, Nelson said.
To address an issue, all of the duct work in the entire building needs to be replaced and the wall needs to be repaired.
Right now the shelter is waiting for final estimates to come in, but it’s expected to exceed $5,000, Nelson said.
“The duct work would go from our furnace room on the wet side of our building by the shelters back door, then through that door and into the front office,” Nelson wrote in an email. ‘Through that office space and wall and then into the main cat room toward the front door. It will then take a slight turn and will go straight north through a cement wall that they will need to drill through to go into the other side of the building.”
Nelson said the project is being done in two phases.
“The first priority is getting the main cat room done, and cement all of the vents on the floor, so no cold air comes up from underneath the building,” Nelson told the Mesabi Tribune.
The second phase of the project will involve redoing the vents in the back area of the shelter, where Brita’s Pantry, an emergency pet food pantry is housed.
Kitten season is starting
For the past several years Precious Paws Humane Society has cared for many cats, some that have arrived at the shelter pregnant with kittens.
This spring Sophia, a mother cat, gave birth to three kittens. Nelson said there is an 11-month old cat due with kittens, and there were three 12-week old kittens found at the Bruce Mine Headframe that required veterinary attention and are now at the shelter.
Bretta’s Pantry
Precious Paws Humane Society operates an emergency pet food shelter, called Bretta’s Pantry that is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday and Thursday.
“It’s much needed,” Nelson said.
The concept behind Bretta’s Pantry is to provide pet food for people, so they don’t have to make the difficult decision between buying food for themself or their pet.
“It’s to help people get by,” Nelson said “You can come in once a month. If you’re struggling, we’re here for you.”
For more information on Precious Paws, or to make a donation, you can visit the shelter’s website at https://www.pphsc.com/. Precious Paws can also be contacted at 218-254-3300.
For information on low income spay/neuter clinics, you can go to https://mnsnap.org/.
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