HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP

Strayhaven renovation to begin soon

Renovations will begin soon at Strayhaven animal shelter, which was ravaged by fire nearly five months ago.

A month after the renovations start, the 94 Donation Road shelter should be back into the business of taking in stray dogs and cats, said E. Don Marshall, Strayhaven board vice president.

A Feb. 29 fire ripped through the center and roof of the shelter, sending heavy smoke which killed dozens of trapped dogs and cats.

Since the fire, stray animals in the Greenville area have been housed in homes and at local kennels, Marshall said. Strayhaven turned down an offer to use Shenango Valley Animal Shelter because of concerns about a disease spreading in that shelter, Marshall said.

Although fire burned through the roof, the fire left the cement block shelter structurally sound, Marshall said. Plans call for renovations, instead of rebuilding.

"We’re going to put on a new roof and wiring, and we need to get the smoke out of the cement blocks. This is a cleaning and renovation," said Marshall. Sewer lines were recently installed.

Work will begin as soon as they finish negotiating with the insurance company and others involved in the project, he said.

The insurance company and shelter will determine the cost of the project, said Marshall, who estimated it should "be in the neighborhood" of $100,000.

Community fund raising has put $40,000 into the building fund, he said. Strayhaven also is hoping to receive insurance proceeds, he said.

A $5,000 state grant has been approved but not yet received.