Humane Society seeks new building site Selling Putt’in 4 Paws

An architect’s rendering from 2016 of the original facility the Humane Society wanted to build.

The Sanilac County Humane Society is selling the 10 acres that was to be the home of a new multi-million dollar no-kill shelter.

Instead, the Society is hoping to get a good price for the prime real estate south of Lexington so it can still build at another location. The property is listed for $429,900.

In 2016, the humane society unveiled blueprints and an architect’s rendering of a proposed $4 million, 23,000 square foot facility on the 10-acre property on Lakeshore Road (M-25) between Sheridan Line and Mortimer Line – the current site of Putt’in 4 Paws, a miniature golf course and driving range operated by the Society.

The original plans called for a facility with 42 large dog kennels, enough to hold 75 to 100 dogs, and a “cattery” with pens for about 100 cats. The kennels and cattery would be ventilated and climate-controlled, with access to outdoor pens.

The blueprints also showed an adoption center where pets could be presented to their potential owners, and a fully equipped veterinary clinic. Additional features would offer a coin operated dog wash, doggie day care, grooming salon, pet supply store and outdoor dog run.

The goal, said Humane Society grant writer Stacey Mach, is to put the money from the sale of the property into the building fund, which continues to grow through donations.

“Really, it depends on whether Putt’in 4 Paws sells,” said Mach. “If it gets sold, we move into the next phase.”

“We have a few options (for other land),” said Mach. “We haven’t made a decision…We’re looking in the same vicinity of the Lexington area.”

She said, “Our plan is still to build a facility but not on that property.”

The shelter that is eventually built might not be the same as the original blueprints, “but we still want a full-service shelter with veterinary staff, still have the goal but haven’t been able to make it happen yet,” Mach said.

In the meantime, the Humane Society continues to operate its no-kill shelter at 3847 Sheldon Street in Carsonville.

“We are 100 percent operating… placing cats and dogs all the time,” said Mach. “We’re looking to expand, to be in the county for many years, placing dogs and cats in forever homes.”